Potential Intermediate Hosts Research Articles

Impacts of reference selection on the assembly of suspicious coronavirus genome.

The pandemic caused by SARS-CoV-2 has had a significant impact on the whole world. In a theory of the origin of SARS-CoV-2, pangolins are considered as a potential intermediate host. To assemble the genome of suspicious coronavirus (CoV) found in pangolins, SARS-CoV-2 was used as a reference in most of the previous studies, implicitly assuming the pangolin CoV and SARS-CoV-2 are the closest neighbors in evolution. However, this assumption may not be true. We investigated how the choice of reference genome affected the resulting CoV genome assembly. We explored various representative CoVs as the reference genome, and found significant differences in the resulting assemblies. The assembly obtained using RaTG13 as a reference showed better statistics in total length, N50, and pairwise distance reconstruction (PDR) scores than the assembly guided by SARS-CoV-2, indicating that RaTG13 may be a better reference. Therefore, RaTG13 should also be considered as a reference for assembling suspicious CoV found in pangolins and other potential intermediate hosts.

Fish as a Cause of Diphyllobothriosis in the Population of Yakutia

High incidence of diphyllobothriosis in the middle reaches of the Lena river and all links of biocenotic relationships between potential intermediate, additional and definitive hosts prove the existence of a hotbed of D. latum in the study area. The circulation of the tapeworm follows the following pattern: human, carnivorous domestic animals – copepods – Coregonus tugun — human, carnivorous domestic animals. The main factor in the transmission of the invasive species is the traditional consumption of insufficiently disinfected salted fish by the population.

One welfare impacts of COVID-19 – A summary of key highlights within the one welfare framework

One Welfare describes the interconnection between animal welfare, human wellbeing and their physical and social environment. The SARS-CoV-2 virus is the cause of COVID-19 and emerged as a human pathogen in 2019 although is thought to have a zoonotic source. The original wildlife reservoir and any potential intermediate hosts have not yet been identified. The combination of the virus zoonotic condition together with the impacts of disease control measures has exposed clear interconnections between animals, people and their environment from both a health and a welfare perspective. The One Welfare Framework comprises five sections that can help understand the different One Welfare levels on which the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted the world. This paper uses the One Welfare Framework to provide an overview of examples, within each of the five sections, where evidence is and/or can be made available to document COVID-19 impacts on One Welfare. The paper identifies a number of areas where further research and evidence gathering is required to better understand the different One Welfare impacts. Based on evidence summarised in this paper the author recommends that those responsible for managing the COVID-19 impacts and for planning the future recovery phase of the pandemic should consider adopting a holistic approach, including both health and welfare, by adopting “One Health, One Welfare” policies.

Host Diversity and Potential Transmission Pathways of SARS-CoV-2 at the Human-Animal Interface.

Emerging infectious diseases present great risks to public health. The novel severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), causing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), has become an urgent public health issue of global concern. It is speculated that the virus first emerged through a zoonotic spillover. Basic research studies have suggested that bats are likely the ancestral reservoir host. Nonetheless, the evolutionary history and host susceptibility of SARS-CoV-2 remains unclear as a multitude of animals has been proposed as potential intermediate or dead-end hosts. SARS-CoV-2 has been isolated from domestic animals, both companion and livestock, as well as in captive wildlife that were in close contact with human COVID-19 cases. Currently, domestic mink is the only known animal that is susceptible to a natural infection, develop severe illness, and can also transmit SARS-CoV-2 to other minks and humans. To improve foundational knowledge of SARS-CoV-2, we are conducting a synthesis review of its host diversity and transmission pathways. To mitigate this COVID-19 pandemic, we strongly advocate for a systems-oriented scientific approach that comprehensively evaluates the transmission of SARS-CoV-2 at the human and animal interface.

Demonstration of visceral linguatulosis in steppe field mouse (Apodemus witherbyi): a neglected potential intermediate host?

Linguatula serrata is an important parasite of Carnivora worldwide. Adult L. serrata attach to the walls of the respiratory tracts of carnivorous mammals, especially dogs, foxes and cats, using their hooks. There, they discharge eggs, which are excreted to the environment via nasopharyngeal secretions and faeces of the definitive hosts. Ingestion of the eggs by herbivores as intermediate hosts or by humans as accidental intermediate hosts allows the larvae to infect the various visceral organs and develop to nymph stages.

Analysis of Intermediate Hosts and Susceptible Animals of SARS-CoV-2 by Computational Methods

COVID-19, a disease caused by SARS-CoV-2 that produces major symptoms of pneumonia, has been a disaster worldwide. The traceability of SARS-CoV-2 and the discovery of susceptible animal species is crucial to halt viral transmission and explore the mechanism of cross-species transmission. We selected 82 representative ACE2 sequences from the 1000 sequences with the closest homology to the hACE2 protein. All selected ACE2 proteins were subjected to homology modeling. Potential natural and intermediate hosts, as well as animal species susceptible to SARS-CoV-2, were analyzed systematically by calculation of the binding free energy of ACE2 protein to the RBD of SARS-CoV-2. Primates, some wild Felidae, civets, goats, spotted hyenas and golden hamsters are susceptible to SARS-CoV-2 and may be potential intermediate hosts, whereas pangolins, birds and reptiles are unlikely to be intermediate hosts. Mice, rats and guinea pig are not susceptible to SARS-CoV-2. Given their possible susceptibility, non-human primates, goats and golden hamsters could potentially be used as experimental models to examine SARS-CoV-2 infection without transgenesis. Herein, possible candidates for the natural and intermediate hosts of SARS-CoV-2 are suggested, to provide guidance for subsequent studies.

Цестоды рыб Антарктики и Субантарктики: история и перспективы исследования

Первые сведения о цестодах рыб Антарктики и Субантарктики появились в начале XX века: от неизвестной акулы была описана цестода Phyllobothrium dentatum. Пик активности изучения антарктических цестод пришёлся на 1990–2006 гг. В этот период опубликованы значимые работы, посвящённые описанию новых видов, изучению их жизненных циклов, гостальности цестод — паразитов рыб, их географическому распространению. Существенный вклад в изучение цестод хрящевых рыб внесла группа польских учёных во главе с А. Войцеховской (Рока). Проанализировано систематическое положение 21 вида цестод из 13 родов 8 семейств 6 отрядов. Фауна цестод изучена менее чем у 7 % от ихтиофауны данного региона, в то время как потенциальные окончательные и промежуточные хозяева остаются неисследованными. Наибольшее количество видов цестод (12) зарегистрировано у четырёх видов скатов семейства Rajidae. В кишечнике костистых рыб обнаружено восемь видов цестод, достигающих половой зрелости: Bothriocephalus antarcticus, B. kerguelensis, Bothriocephalus sp., Parabothriocephalus johnstoni, P. macruri, Clestobothrium crassiceps, Neobothriocephalus sp. и Eubothrium sp. В костистых рыбах зарегистрированы личинки пяти видов цестод (Onchobothrium antarcticum, Grillotia (Grillotia) erinaceus, Lacistorhynchus tenuis, Calyptrobothrium sp. и Hepatoxylon trichiuri), заканчивающих своё развитие в хрящевых рыбах. Из 12 видов цестод, обнаруженных у скатов, для пяти не установлено систематическое положение. Фауна цестод характеризуется высоким уровнем эндемизма: 67 % от всей фауны не встречается севернее Субантарктики. В наибольшей степени исследованиями охвачены прибрежные области в Атлантическом и Индийском секторах Антарктики. Разнообразие цестод хрящевых рыб, обитающих в Антарктике и Субантарктике, недооценено: к настоящему времени изучена всего треть видов этих рыб. Генетические исследования антарктических цестод только начали развиваться. Известны рибосомальные последовательности из области D1–D3 рДНК 28S лишь для двух видов — Onchobothrium antarcticum от вторых промежуточных (Notothenia rossii и Dissostichus mawsoni) и окончательного хозяев (Bathyraja eatonii), а также личинок цестоды Calyptrobothrium sp. от вторых промежуточных хозяев (D. mawsoni и Muraenolepis marmorata). В дальнейшем основные направления изучения фауны цестод следует развивать в сочетании с морфологическими, фаунистическими, генетическими и экологическими исследованиями.

An Overview of SARS-CoV-2 and Animal Infection.

A novel coronavirus has been reported as the causative pathogen of the Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak in Wuhan city, China in December 2019. Due to the rapid spread of the virus worldwide, it has been announced as a pandemic by the World Health Organization (WHO). Hospitalized patients in Wuhan were associated with the Huanan seafood wholesale market where live animals, such as poultry, bats, snakes, frogs, rabbits, marmots, and hedgehogs are sold in that market which suggests a possible zoonotic infection. It was suggested that bat is the natural host of SARS-CoV-2, but the intermediate host is still unclear. It is essential to identify the potential intermediate host to interrupt the transmission chain of the virus. Pangolin is a highly suspected candidate as an intermediate host for SARS-CoV-2. Recently, SARS-CoV-2 infection has been reported in cats, dogs, tigers, and lions. More recently SARS-CoV-2 infection affected minks severely and zoonotic transfer with a variant SARS-CoV-2 strain evidenced in Denmark, Netherlands, USA, and Spain suggesting animal-to-human and animal-to-animal transmission within mink farms. Furthermore, experimental studies documented the susceptibility of different animal species to SARS-CoV-2, such as mice, golden hamsters, cats, ferrets, non-human primates, and treeshrews. It is also essential to know the possibility of infection for other animal species. This short review aims to provide an overview on the relation between severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection and animals.

Host range projection of SARS-CoV-2: South Asia perspective.

Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the causing agent of Coronavirus Disease-2019 (COVID-19), is likely to be originated from bat and transmitted through intermediate hosts. However, the immediate source species of SARS-CoV-2 have not yet been confirmed. Here, we used diversity analysis of the angiotensin I converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) that serves as cellular receptor for SARS-CoV-2 and transmembrane protease serine 2 (TMPRSS2), which has been proved to be utilized by SARS-CoV-2 for spike protein priming. We also simulated the structure of receptor-binding domain of SARS-CoV-2 spike protein (SARS-CoV-2S RBD) with the ACE2s to investigate their binding affinity to determine the potential intermediate animal hosts that could spread the SARS-CoV-2 to humans in South Asia. We identified cow, buffalo, goat and sheep, which are predominant species in the household farming system in South Asia that can potentially be infected by SARS-CoV-2. All the bird species studied along with rat and mouse were considered less potential to interact with SARS-CoV-2. The interaction interfaces of SARS-CoV-2S RBD and ACE2 protein complex suggests pangolin as a potential intermediate host in SARS-CoV-2. Our results provide a valuable resource for the identification of potential hosts for SARS-CoV-2 in South Asia and henceforth reduce the opportunity for a future outbreak of COVID-19.

The Epidemiology, Transmissions and Risk Factors of SARS-CoV-2

The outbreak of a novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) and associated COVID-19 disease in late December 2019 has led to a global pandemic, spreading very quickly and causing a more than 500,000 deaths in less than six monhs of the ourbreak. The incidence differs by country and depends on many agents, such as population density, demography, the amount of testing people and reporting, and actions of mitigation strategies, provisions of sanitary and education of the society. In this article, we presented the current studies about the epidemiology of COVID-19, including the transmission routes of the SARS-CoV-2, the incubation period, the reproduction number (R0), the case fatality risks (CFR), comorbidities and measures prevention against COVID-19. We searched the articles in the main database (PubMed/Medline, Elsevier Science Direct, Scopus, Isi Web of Science, Embase, Exerpta Medica, UptoDate, Lilacs, Novel Coronavirus Resource Directory from Elsevier), in the high-impact international scientific Journals (Scimago Journal and Country Rank - SJR - and Journal Citation Reports - JCR), such as The Lancet, Science, Nature, The New England Journal of Medicine, Physiological Reviews, Journal of the American Medical Association, Plos One, Journal of Clinical Investigation, and in the data from Center for Disease Control (CDC), National Institutes of Health (NIH), National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) and World Health Organization (WHO). We prior selected meta-analysis, systematic reviews, article reviews and original articles in this order. We reviewed 235 articles and used 131 from March to June 2020, using the terms coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2, novel coronavirus, Wuhan coronavirus, severe acute respiratory syndrome, 2019-nCoV, 2019 novel coronavirus, n-CoV-2, covid, n-Sars-2, COVID-19, corona virus, coronaviruses, epodemiology of COVID-19, risk factors, viral spreading, transmissions, routes, animals incubation, period, RO, CFR, comorbidities, prevention, with the tools MeSH (Medical Subject Headings), AND, OR, and characters [,“,; /., to ensure the best review topics. We concluded that the epidemiological data is very important to know the transmission risks rate, purpose public political policies of mitigating the disease, protect the vulnerable population. Also, it is important reconsider the legislation about wild animals, the potential intermediate host(s) of various viruses, as well as the conditions of live for animals for human comsuption to prevent future outbreaks.

Trophic relationship between the Patinga hybrid (Piaractus mesopotamicus x Piaractus brachypomus) and Echinorhynchus gomesi Machado Filho, 1948 in fish farms.

A total of 122 Patinga specimens were collected from fish farms (P1, P2 and P3), and only those from fish farm P1 were shown to be infected with Echinorhynchus gomesi. In addition, fish in this study were shown to have diets that consisted of 21 different food items, and Notodiaptomus sp. (Copepoda: Calanoida) was identified as a potential intermediate host for E. gomesi.

Identifying the Zoonotic Origin of SARS-CoV-2 by Modeling the Binding Affinity between the Spike Receptor-Binding Domain and Host ACE2.

Despite considerable research progress on SARS-CoV-2, the direct zoonotic origin (intermediate host) of the virus remains ambiguous. The most definitive approach to identify the intermediate host would be the detection of SARS-CoV-2-like coronaviruses in wild animals. However, due to the high number of animal species, it is not feasible to screen all the species in the laboratory. Given that binding to ACE2 proteins is the first step for the coronaviruses to invade host cells, we propose a computational pipeline to identify potential intermediate hosts of SARS-CoV-2 by modeling the binding affinity between the Spike receptor-binding domain (RBD) and host ACE2. Using this pipeline, we systematically examined 285 ACE2 variants from mammals, birds, fish, reptiles, and amphibians, and found that the binding energies calculated for the modeled Spike-RBD/ACE2 complex structures correlated closely with the effectiveness of animal infection as determined by multiple experimental data sets. Built on the optimized binding affinity cutoff, we suggest a set of 96 mammals, including 48 experimentally investigated ones, which are permissive to SARS-CoV-2, with candidates from primates, rodents, and carnivores at the highest risk of infection. Overall, this work not only suggests a limited range of potential intermediate SARS-CoV-2 hosts for further experimental investigation, but also, more importantly, it proposes a new structure-based approach to general zoonotic origin and susceptibility analyses that are critical for human infectious disease control and wildlife protection.

The Potential Intermediate Hosts for SARS-CoV-2.

The coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), has become a global pandemic since the first report in Wuhan. COVID-19 is a zoonotic disease and the natural reservoir of SARS-CoV-2 seems to be bats. However, the intermediate host explaining the transmission and evolvement is still unclear. In addition to the wildlife which has access to contact with bats in the natural ecological environment and then infects humans in wildlife market, domestic animals are also able to establish themselves as the intermediate host after infected by SARS-CoV-2. Although recent studies related to SARS-CoV-2 have made a lot of progress, many critical issues are still unaddressed. Here, we reviewed findings regarding the investigations of the intermediate host, which may inspire future investigators and provide them with plenty of information. The results demonstrate the critical role of the intermediate host in the transmission chain of SARS-CoV-2, and the efficient intervention on this basis may be useful to prevent further deterioration of COVID-19.

Susceptibility of tree shrew to SARS-CoV-2 infection

Since severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) became a pandemic event in the world, it has not only caused huge economic losses, but also a serious threat to global public health. Many scientific questions about SARS-CoV-2 and Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) were raised and urgently need to be answered, including the susceptibility of animals to SARS-CoV-2 infection. Here we tested whether tree shrew, an emerging experimental animal domesticated from wild animal, is susceptible to SARS-CoV-2 infection. No clinical signs were observed in SARS-CoV-2 inoculated tree shrews during this experiment except the increasing body temperature particularly in female animals. Low levels of virus shedding and replication in tissues occurred in all three age groups. Notably, young tree shrews (6 months to 12 months) showed virus shedding at the earlier stage of infection than adult (2 years to 4 years) and old (5 years to 7 years) animals that had longer duration of virus shedding comparatively. Histopathological examine revealed that pulmonary abnormalities were the main changes but mild although slight lesions were also observed in other tissues. In summary, tree shrew is less susceptible to SARS-CoV-2 infection compared with the reported animal models and may not be a suitable animal for COVID-19 related researches. However, tree shrew may be a potential intermediate host of SARS-CoV-2 as an asymptomatic carrier.

Molecular and Morphological Elucidation of the Life Cycle of the Frog Trematode Langeronia macrocirra (Digenea: Pleurogenidae) in Los Tuxtlas, Veracruz, Mexico

The genus LangeroniaCaballero and Bravo-Hollis, 1949, currently contains 6 species of amphibian trematodes distributed in North and Middle America. The type species of the genus, Langeronia macrocirraCaballero and Bravo-Hollis, 1949, occurs in Mexico and is relatively commonly found as a parasite of leopard frogs. However, information regarding its life cycle is lacking. In this paper, we study the life cycle of L. macrocirra in Laguna Escondida, Los Tuxtlas, Veracruz. Definitive hosts (Rana spp.) as well as potential intermediate hosts (gastropods, bivalves, crustaceans, tadpoles, hemipterans, and odonate naiads) were sampled in the locality and studied to search for the presence of adults and larval stages of the trematode. Specimens were morphologically characterized, and some individuals were sequenced for 1 ribosomal gene (28S rRNA) and 1 mitochondrial gene (COI). DNA sequences of the adults obtained from leopard frogs were matched with those of the larval forms in their intermediate hosts (metacercariae, cercariae, and sporocysts) to demonstrate conspecificity. Further, we conducted a detailed study of the tegument of the body surface with scanning electron microscopy to characterize each of the developmental stages of the life cycle of L. macrocirra.

Assessing the diversity and distribution of potential intermediate hosts snails for urogenital schistosomiasis: Bulinus spp. (Gastropoda: Planorbidae) of Lake Victoria

BackgroundThe Lake Victoria basin is one of the most persistent hotspots of schistosomiasis in Africa, the intestinal form of the disease being studied more often than the urogenital form. Most schistosomiasis studies have been directed to Schistosoma mansoni and their corresponding intermediate snail hosts of the genus Biomphalaria, while neglecting S. haematobium and their intermediate snail hosts of the genus Bulinus. In the present study, we used DNA sequences from part of the cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (cox1) gene and the internal transcribed spacer 2 (ITS2) region to investigate Bulinus populations obtained from a longitudinal survey in Lake Victoria and neighbouring systems during 2010–2019.MethodsSequences were obtained to (i) determine specimen identities, diversity and phylogenetic positions, (ii) reconstruct phylogeographical affinities, and (iii) determine the population structure to discuss the results and their implications for the transmission and epidemiology of urogenital schistosomiasis in Lake Victoria.ResultsPhylogenies, species delimitation methods (SDMs) and statistical parsimony networks revealed the presence of two main groups of Bulinus species occurring in Lake Victoria; B. truncatus/B. tropicus complex with three species (B. truncatus, B. tropicus and Bulinus sp. 1), dominating the lake proper, and a B. africanus group, prevalent in banks and marshes. Although a total of 47 cox1 haplotypes, were detected within and outside Lake Victoria, there was limited haplotype sharing (only Haplotype 6 was shared between populations from Lake Victoria open waters and neighbouring aquatic systems) – an indication that haplotypes are specific to habitats.ConclusionsThe Bulinus fauna of Lake Victoria consists of at least B. truncatus, B. tropicus, Bulinus sp. 1 (B. trigonus?) and B. ugandae. The occurrence and wide distribution of Bulinus species in Lake Victoria potentially implies the occurrence of urogenital schistosomiasis in communities living along the shores and on islands of the lake who depend solely on the lake for their livelihood. More in-depth studies are needed to obtain a better picture of the extent of the disease in the Lake Victoria basin.

Characteristics of persistent hotspots of Schistosoma mansoni in western C\xf4te d\u2019Ivoire

BackgroundPreventive chemotherapy with praziquantel is the cornerstone of schistosomiasis control. However, in some social-ecological settings, the prevalence and/or intensity of Schistosoma infection does not lower meaningfully despite multiple rounds of preventive chemotherapy, a phenomenon termed persistent hotspot (PHS). We assessed the characteristics of PHS in a Schistosoma mansoni-endemic area of Côte d’Ivoire.MethodsIn October 2016, a cross-sectional survey was conducted in 14 schools in the western part of Côte d’Ivoire, one year after multiple rounds of preventive chemotherapy. In each school, 50 children aged 9–12 years provided two stool samples and one urine sample. Stool samples were subjected to triplicate Kato-Katz thick smears for S. mansoni diagnosis. Urine samples were examined by a filtration method for S. haematobium eggs. PHS was defined as failure to achieve a reduction in the prevalence of S. mansoni infection of at least 35% and/or a reduction of infection intensity of at least 50%. Six schools underwent more detailed investigations, including a questionnaire survey for demographic characteristics and a malacological survey.ResultsIn the six schools subjected to detailed investigations, the overall prevalence of S. mansoni and S. haematobium was 9.5% and 2.6%, respectively. Four schools were classified as PHS. The S. mansoni prevalence in the four PHS was 10.9% compared to 6.6% in the remaining two schools. The S. mansoni infection intensity, expressed as arithmetic mean eggs per gram of stool (EPG) among infected children, was 123.8 EPG in PHS and 18.7 EPG in the other two schools. Children bathing in open freshwater bodies were at higher odds of S. mansoni infection (odds ratio: 4.5, 95% confidence interval: 1.6–12.6). A total of 76 human-water contact sites (53 in PHS and 23 in the other schools) were examined and 688 snails were collected, including potential intermediate host snails of Schistosoma (Biomphalaria pfeifferi, Bulinus forskalii, Bu. globosus and Bu. truncatus).ConclusionChildren in PHS schools bathed more frequently in open freshwater bodies, and hence, they are more exposed to Schistosoma transmission. Our findings call for an integrated control approach, complementing preventive chemotherapy with other interventions, particularly in PHS settings.

Retraction: Insights into the role of turkeys as potential intermediate host for influenza viruses

Retraction: Insights into the role of turkeys as potential intermediate host for influenza viruses

Evaluation of Angiotensin-converting Enzyme 2 (ACE2) in COVID-19: A Systematic Review on All Types of Studies for Epidemiologic, Diagnostic, and Therapeutic Purposes

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) uses the angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptor of SARS-CoV for cell entry. We aimed to check the association between ACE2 and COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019) in a systematic review. Two databases (PubMed/Medline and Scopus) and bioRxiv were checked for retrieving all types of studies in relation to ACE2 and COVID-19 until March 18, 2020. Forty-one studies were entered to the systematic review. These studies included nineteen original, eight reviews, four letters to the editor, three research papers, one correspondence, one commentary, one mini review, two reports, one opinion, and one perspective. In summary, the results showed that the ACE2 receptor for COVID-19 is similar to that of SARS-CoV. However, its expression was different in various populations as well as in the two genders. ACE2 may be used as a therapeutic target. Patients who take ACE inhibitors may have benefit in severe disease outcomes. Finally, pangolins and snakes and turtles may act as the potential intermediate hosts transmitting disease to humans.

Development and characterization of 20 polymorphic microsatellite markers for the white-bellied pangolin Phataginus tricuspis (Mammalia, Pholidota).

Pangolins, or scaly anteaters, have recently been flagshiped as one of the most illegally traded mammals, and as a corollary, as potential intermediate hosts at the origin of the COVID-19 pandemic. In order to improve the traceability of their trade, we developed 20 polymorphic microsatellite loci for the white-bellied pangolin (Phataginus tricuspis), the species most frequently found on African bushmeat markets. We genotyped 24 white-bellied pangolins from the Douala market, Cameroon, originating from the Ebo forest c. 75 km north-east of Douala. The number of alleles per locus ranged from 4 to 12 (mean = 6.95), and mean observed and expected heterozygosities were 0.592 (0.208–0.875) and 0.671 (0.469–0.836), respectively. Genetic diversity was higher than that cross-estimated from microsatellite loci developed for other species of pangolins. Two loci deviated from Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium and two loci showed linkage disequilibrium. Genetic variance (PCoA) was increased with the addition of 13 pangolins of unknown origin, possibly suggesting that the Douala market is fed from differentiated source populations of white-bellied pangolins. Each of the 37 individuals had a unique multilocus genotype. The unbiased probability of identity (uPI) and the probability of identity among siblings (PIsibs) were both very low (uPI = 8.443 e−21; PIsibs = 1.011 e−07). Only five microsatellite loci were needed to reach the conservative value of PIsibs < 0.01, overall indicating a powerful discriminating power of our combined loci. These 20 newly developed microsatellite loci might prove useful in tracing the local-to-global trade of the white-bellied pangolin, and will hopefully contribute to the DNA-assisted implementation of future conservation strategies at reasonable costs.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (10.1007/s11033-020-05511-6) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.