Researchers Construct Genetic Map Of Parasite That Causes Intestinal Infections

In a major achievement, Southwest Foundation for Biomedical Research (SFBR) in San Antonio researchers has constructed a genetic map of the parasite that causes schistosomiasis.

Schistosomiasis is a chronic intestinal infection that can damage internal organs and, in children, impair growth and cognitive development.

Sustainable Interventions Key to Successful Schistosomiasis Control
A decade after the conclusion of a schistosomiasis control program in Mali, prevalence of the disease had regressed to pre-intervention levels, according to a study.

Schistosome parasites are flatworms that infect more than 200 million people a year worldwide.

"A genetic map is the essential tool needed for finding the genes that are responsible for drug resistance and pathogenesis in this parasite. In the case of drug resistance, identification of underlying mutations is critical for management of this disease," said Dr. Timothy Anderson, of SFBR's department of genetics.

He added: "First, identification of mutations allows us to better understand the mechanism of action of the drugs used, and to redesign drugs to restore treatment efficacy. Second, identification of mutations involved allows us to efficiently monitor the spread of resistance in parasite populations using simple molecular methods."

Blood Flukes may be Combated by Gene Map
Researchers have published the first microsatellite-based genetic linkage map has been published for Schistosoma mansoni,

For the study, the researchers used two adult flatworms to breed 88 S. mansoni offspring.

They then compared the genetic information of the offspring to the parents, and generated a genetic map of chromosomes of the pathogen.

Reining In Snails Could Help Control Schistosomiasis
New research gives that a parasitic infection common in China and Southeast Asia could be effectively diminished by controlling snail populations.

These parasites have a complex lifecycle. Adult male and female worms measuring around half an inch, live in pairs in the blood vessels, and eggs are expelled in the faeces or urine.

The larval parasites initially develop in water snails and human infection occurs when parasite larvae burrow through the skin of people entering the water.

The researchers are planning further research using the genetic map to understand why some parasites cause more pathology than others.

The new study has been published in the journal Genome Biology.

Source-ANI
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