High-quality nuclear genome for Sarcoptes scabiei-A critical resource for a neglected parasite.

• Published in: PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases
• Main Authors: Pasi K Korhonen, Robin B Gasser, Guangxu Ma, Tao Wang, Andreas J Stroehlein, Neil D Young, Ching-Seng Ang, Deepani D Fernando, Hieng C Lu, Sara Taylor, Simone L Reynolds, Ehtesham Mofiz, Shivashankar H Najaraj, Harsha Gowda, Anil Madugundu, Santosh Renuse, Deborah Holt, Akhilesh Pandey, Anthony T Papenfuss, Katja Fischer
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Public Library of Science (PLoS) 2020
• Subjects: Arctic medicine. Tropical medicine; RC955-962; Public aspects of medicine; RA1-1270; Arctic; Mite
• Online Access: https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pntd.0008720; https://doaj.org/article/12a8e16e28484afd90780687cbffde09

The parasitic mite Sarcoptes scabiei is an economically highly significant parasite of the skin of humans and animals worldwide. In humans, this mite causes a neglected tropical disease (NTD), called scabies. This disease results in major morbidity, disability, stigma and poverty globally and is often associated with secondary bacterial infections. Currently, anti-scabies treatments are not sufficiently effective, resistance to them is emerging and no vaccine is available. Here, we report the first high-quality genome and transcriptomic data for S. scabiei. The genome is 56.6 Mb in size, has a a repeat content of 10.6% and codes for 9,174 proteins. We explored key molecules involved in development, reproduction, host-parasite interactions, immunity and disease. The enhanced 'omic data sets for S. scabiei represent comprehensive and critical resources for genetic, functional genomic, metabolomic, phylogenetic, ecological and/or epidemiological investigations, and will underpin the design and development of new treatments, vaccines and/or diagnostic tests.