Whole genome sequencing of Onchocerca volvulus

Onchocerca volvulus is the filarial nematode parasite that causes onchocerciasis, or River blindness. We sequenced individual microfilariae from skin snips to explore genetic diversity of the parasite within and between hosts from South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo, and to compare this diversity to parasites sequenced from other countries. Genetic similarities and differences can be used to identify parasite movement across borders due to travel by infected people or migration of vectors, or to estimate the minimum number of adult worms infecting a person.