Trichinella and trichinellosis

Abstract

In this chapter we focus on settled and outstanding questions in Trichinella population genetics. Our present focus examines how much variation parasite populations harbor, and how distinct those populations have become. Below, we address four basic themes: 1. Species of Trichinella harbor distinct levels of genetic variability, reflect- ing contrasting histories. 2. Related species of Trichinella maintain distinctions despite occasional gene flow among them. 3. Extreme inbreeding in Trichinella typically engenders highly uniform infections. 4. Work remains to establish efficient, robust tools for outbreak tracing. 5. Population genetics sheds light on the origins of current challenges.