A population genetic analysis of the nematode Strongyloides stercoralis in Asia shows that human infection is not a zoonosis from dogs.
Yuchen Liu, A. H. M. Raihan Sarker, Banchob Sripa, Sirikachorn Tangkawattana, Virak Khieu, William Nevin, Steve Paterson, Mark Viney
The paper uses whole genome sequencing to show that human and dog-derived Strongyloides stercoralis are genetically distinct, with rare cross-infection events, suggesting the parasite originated in dogs and began infecting humans after domestication.
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences · Jul 15, 2025Peer-reviewedGenetics