A QSPR-like model for multilocus genotype networks of Fasciola hepatica in Northwest Spain

作者：Vazquez Prieto Severo^*; Gonzalez Diaz Humberto; Paniagua Esperanza; Vilas Roman; Ubeira Florencio M

来源：Journal of Theoretical Biology, 2014, 343: 16-24.

DOI：10.1016/j.jtbi.2013.11.005

• Graph theory
• Complex networks
• Fasciolosis
• Codominant genetic markers
• Linear discriminant analysis

Fasciola hepatica is a parasitic trematode that infects wild and domesticated mammals, particularly cattle and sheep, and causes significant economic losses to global livestock production. In the present study, we used codominant genetic markers to define and build, for the first time, complex genotype networks for E hepatica isolated from cattle and sheep in NW Spain. We generated three types of random networks with a number of nodes and edges as close as possible to the observed networks, and we then calculated 14 node centrality measures for both observed and random networks. Finally, using Linear Discriminant Analysis (LDA) and these measures as inputs, we constructed a quantitative structure-property relationship (QSPR)-like model able to predict the propensity of a specific genotype of E hepatica to infect different infrapopulations, farms and/or host species. The accuracy, sensitivity and specificity of the model were %26gt; 90% for both training and cross-validation series. We also assessed the applicability domain of the model. This type of QSPR model is a potentially powerful tool for epidemiological studies and could be used to manage and prevent the spread of fasciolosis.

• 出版日期2014-2-21