Application of NGS to examine genetic diversity of piroplasmids in their definitive host

Piroplasmids are a group of intracellular protistan parasites that are transmitted by several species of hard ticks. Due to their ability to cause diseases in domesticated mammalian species, piroplasmids are considered pathogens of concern with a significant economic impact, mainly in the tropics and subtropics. Recently, several studies assessed the genetic diversity of piroplasmids in their intermediate hosts; however, the information from the definitive host, the ticks, is scarce and requires more attention. Depending on the species, the life cycle of hard ticks species may involves one, two or three hosts of mammalian species. Therefore the incidence of acquiring several strains of the same species, as well as, different species of piroplasmids is greatly high. To explore the inter- and intraspecific genetic diversity of piroplasmids in ticks, the Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) technique represents the method of choice. The aim of the future project at our lab is to examine the ticks collected from several domesticated animal from several localities in northern Kenya for the diversity of piroplasmids. The plan is to use different genetic markers for the aforementioned purpose namely the 18s Ribosomal Small Subunit, Cytochrome C Oxidase subunit II and the Internal Transcribed Spacer ITS1 and ITS 2 either separately or collectively. Subsequently the generated sequence data will be used for phylogenetic analysis. The outcomes of the project are expected to contribute to a better understanding of the actual level of genetic diversity of piroplasmids in the ticks. Additionally, it may also explain the low host specificity of piroplasmids that has been highlighted by several reports during the past few years.