Genetic characterization of the zoonotic parasitein the central and eastern United States.

Abstract

is the most common nematode parasite of dogs in the United States. The present study aimed to describe the molecular epidemiology ofisolates from the central and eastern states of the United States using the partial mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase () gene and to compare them with those reported globally. We isolated eggs from faecal samples of dogs and characterized each isolate based onsequences. A total of 60 samples originating from Kansas, Iowa, New York, Florida and Massachusetts were included. 25 haplotypes were identified in the United States dataset with high haplotype diversity (0.904). Sequence data were compared to sequences from other world regions available in GenBank. Global haplotype analysis demonstrated 35 haplotypes with a haplotype diversity of 0.931. Phylogenetic and network analysis provide evidence for the existence of moderate geographical structuring ofhaplotypes. Our results provide an updated summary ofhaplotypes and data for neutral genetic markers with utility for tracking hookworm populations. Sequences have been deposited in GenBank (ON980650-ON980674). Further studies of isolates from other regions are essential to understand the genetic diversity of this parasite.