Abstract
Objective: This study aims to address the challenges of identifying Diploscapter coronatus by morphological and genetic analysis. The nematode was previously identified morphologically in fecal samples from a patient with Henoch-Schönlein purpura. We used genetic methods to complement and refine species identification.
Materials and Methods: Nematodes isolated from the patient’s feces were fixed in formalin, and morphological observations were made under a light microscope. PCR amplification of the SSU rRNA and Hsp90 genes was performed on DNA extracted from the nematodes during the same period. The resulting DNA was cloned, sequenced, and subjected to phylogenetic analysis using the neighbor-joining method.
Results: Morphological observations confirmed that the nematode shared key features with D. coronatus. The SSU rRNA analysis showed 99% similarity with 11 Diploscapter species, including D. coronatus. However, Hsp90 gene analysis placed the nematode in the D. lycostoma cluster, revealing inconsistencies between morphological and genetic data.
Conclusion: The present study highlights the complexity of species identification within the genus Diploscapter that results from the limited genetic information and overlapping morphological characters. The results underscore the need for more extensive genetic data and comprehensive phylogenetic analyses to resolve these identification challenges and better understand species relationships within the genus.
