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An electrophoretic comparison of Schistosoma japonicum (Trematoda) from different provinces in the People's Republic of China suggests the existence of cryptic species

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 October 1999

N. B. CHILTON
Affiliation:
Department of Veterinary Science, University of Melbourne, 250 Princes Highway, Werribee, Victoria 3030, Australia
Q. BAO-ZHEN
Affiliation:
Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Zhejiang Academy of Medical Sciences, WHO Collaborating Centre on Helminthiasis, People's Republic of China Danish Centre for Experimental Parasitology, Royal Veterinary and Agricultural University, Bülowsvej 13, DK-1870 Frederiksberg C, Denmark
H. O. BØGH
Affiliation:
Danish Centre for Experimental Parasitology, Royal Veterinary and Agricultural University, Bülowsvej 13, DK-1870 Frederiksberg C, Denmark
P. NANSEN
Affiliation:
Danish Centre for Experimental Parasitology, Royal Veterinary and Agricultural University, Bülowsvej 13, DK-1870 Frederiksberg C, Denmark

Abstract

Schistosoma japonicum from the People's Republic of China is considered to represent a single species comprising either 1 or 4 ‘strains’. We conducted an allozyme electrophoretic study to examine the extent of genetic variation in S. japonicum from mainland China. The allelic profiles of S. japonicum from 7 provinces were established at 16 enzyme loci. S. japonicum from Sichuan had 3–5 (19–31%) fixed differences compared with those from Zhejiang, Anhui, Jiangxi, Hunan, Hubei and Yunnan, suggesting that S. japonicum in mainland China represents a species complex. In addition, genetic markers were also established for different laboratory-maintained populations of S. japonicum which has significant implications for studying the biology of these organisms in human and animal hosts, and for the control and surveillance of human schistosomiasis in China.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
1999 Cambridge University Press

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