Nonthapa Alongkorn, Rodpai Rutchanee, Thanchomnang Tongjit, Boonroumkaew Patcharaporn, Sadaow Lakkhana, Blair David, Intapan Pewpan M, Maleewong Wanchai, Banouvong Virasack, Laymanivong Sakhone, Sanpool Oranuch
Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen 40002, Thailand; Mekong Health Science Research Institute, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen 40002, Thailand.
Mekong Health Science Research Institute, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen 40002, Thailand; Department of Medical Technology, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Nakhonratchasima College, Nakhon Ratchasima 30000, Thailand.
Infect Genet Evol. 2025 Mar;128:105718. doi: 10.1016/j.meegid.2025.105718. Epub 2025 Jan 15.
Paragonimiasis, caused by infection with lung flukes of the genus Paragonimus, remains a significant public health concern in Southeast Asia. In Lao People's Democratic Republic (Lao PDR), information on the distribution and genetic diversity of Paragonimus species is limited. This study investigated Paragonimus metacercariae in freshwater (mountain) crabs and analyzed their genetic diversity and phylogenetic relationships. Thirty-six crabs (Indochinamon sp.) were received from Xiang Ngeun and Pak Ou in Luang Prabang Province, northern Lao PDR. Partial mitochondrial 16S rRNA sequences obtained from four crabs indicated a moderately close relationship with Indochinamon ou. A total of 81 metacercariae identified morphologically as Paragonimus heterotremus were found among 13 out of the 32 crabs dissected (40.6 %). Molecular analyses targeting the ribosomal ITS2 region and mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (cox1) gene were conducted on these metacercariae. Phylogenetic analyses revealed that P. heterotremus sequences from Lao PDR clustered with those from neighboring countries-China, Myanmar, Vietnam and Thailand-suggesting potential genetic connectivity among eastern Asian populations. Haplotype-network analysis demonstrated significant genetic diversity within P. heterotremus populations from Lao PDR, separating into two distinct haplotype groups, one of which was unique to this study. This is the first report that Indochinamon sp. crabs serve as key intermediate host for a member of the P. heterotremus complex in Luang Prabang Province and highlights the parasite's genetic diversity in this region.
由并殖吸虫属肺吸虫感染引起的并殖吸虫病，在东南亚仍然是一个重大的公共卫生问题。在老挝人民民主共和国（老挝），关于并殖吸虫种类的分布和遗传多样性的信息有限。本研究调查了淡水（山）蟹中的并殖吸虫囊蚴，并分析了它们的遗传多样性和系统发育关系。从老挝北部琅南塔省的香恩和巴乌收到了36只蟹（Indochinamon sp.）。从四只蟹中获得的部分线粒体16S rRNA序列表明与Indochinamon ou有中等程度的密切关系。在解剖的32只蟹中的13只（40.6%）中，共发现81个形态学上鉴定为异盘并殖吸虫的囊蚴。对这些囊蚴进行了针对核糖体ITS2区域和线粒体细胞色素c氧化酶亚基1（cox1）基因的分子分析。系统发育分析表明，来自老挝的异盘并殖吸虫序列与来自邻国中国、缅甸、越南和泰国的序列聚类，表明东亚种群之间存在潜在的遗传连通性。单倍型网络分析显示老挝异盘并殖吸虫种群内存在显著的遗传多样性，分为两个不同的单倍型组，其中一个是本研究特有的。这是首次报道Indochinamon sp.蟹是琅南塔省异盘并殖吸虫复合体成员的关键中间宿主，并突出了该地区该寄生虫的遗传多样性。
