Genomic analysis of Echinococcus granulosus sensu stricto: genetic diversity and population structure

L Anijalg; PK Korhonen; ND Young; H Cai; J Li; H Yang; D Wang; T Wang; B Yang; T Laurimäe; DJ Jenkins; A Casulli; M Rostami-Nejad; G Acosta-Jamett; M Irshadullah; H Mirhendi; M Sharbatkhori; EB Kia; F Ponce-Gordo; S Simsek; H Zait; ML de la Rue; SV Soriano; LE Lazzarini; T Romig; M Wassermann; SA Aghayan; H Gevorgyan; MM Ibrahim; S Rehbein; V Šnábel; MT Manfredi; BCH Chang; U Saarma; RB Gasser

Journal article

Genomic analysis of Echinococcus granulosus sensu stricto: genetic diversity and population structure

L Anijalg, PK Korhonen, ND Young, H Cai, J Li, H Yang, D Wang, T Wang, B Yang, T Laurimäe, DJ Jenkins, A Casulli, M Rostami-Nejad, G Acosta-Jamett, M Irshadullah, H Mirhendi, M Sharbatkhori, EB Kia, F Ponce-Gordo, S Simsek Show all

Lancet Microbe | Published : 2026

DOI: 10.1016/j.lanmic.2026.101453

Open access

Abstract

Background Cystic echinococcosis, caused by the tapeworm Echinococcus granulosus sensu stricto (ss), is a globally distributed, zoonotic disease that is recognised by WHO as a neglected tropical disease. Despite its clinical and economic importance, nuclear genomic variation in this parasite has not been systematically characterised across global populations. In this study, we aimed to characterise the genome-wide nuclear genetic diversity and population structure of E granulosus ss across globally distributed populations. Methods We conducted a genomic study of 137 E granulosus ss samples from endemic regions across five continents, derived from previously collected parasite material from l..

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