Population structure of Angiostrongylus cantonensis (Nematoda: Metastrongylidae) in Thailand based on PCR-RAPD markers

Southeast Asian J Trop Med Public Health. 2012 May;43(3):567-73.

Abstract

Angiostrongylus cantonensis is the causative agent of angiostrongyliasis, which is widely distributed throughout the world. It can specifically infect many species of intermediate and definitive hosts. This study examined the genetic differentiation and population structure using the RAPD-PCR method of parasites obtained from 8 different geographical areas of Thailand. Based on 8 primers, high levels of genetic diversity and low levels of gene flow among populations were found. Using genetic distance and neighbor-joining dendrogram methods, A. cantonensis in Thailand could be divided into two groups with statistically significant genetic differentiation of the two populations. However, genotypic variations and haplotype relationships need to be further elucidated using other markers.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Angiostrongylus cantonensis / classification
  • Angiostrongylus cantonensis / genetics*
  • Angiostrongylus cantonensis / isolation & purification
  • Animals
  • Genes, Helminth
  • Genetic Variation*
  • Genotype
  • Humans
  • Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • Polymorphism, Genetic
  • Rats
  • Rats, Wistar
  • Sequence Analysis, DNA
  • Thailand / epidemiology