Utility of the Onchocerca volvulus mitochondrial genome for delineation of parasite transmission zones

Globally, approximately 250 million people are at risk of onchocerciasis, or River blindness. Population genetic structure is the result of movement, or lack of movement, between geographic areas. In disease-causing organisms, then, population genetic structure reflects transmission of those organisms. We use DNA sequence data from the filarial nematode, Onchocerca volvulus, to determine population genetic structure among communities in Africa, and thus the geographic scale of transmission zones. The goal is to develop a framework for data collection and analysis for use by control agencies who need to make decisions about whether to stop mass drug administration given the risk of recrudescence from immigrant parasites.