Colonization and genetic diversification processes of Leishmania infantum in the Americas.
Commun Biol
; 4(1): 139, 2021 01 29.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-33514858
ABSTRACT
Leishmania infantum causes visceral leishmaniasis, a deadly vector-borne disease introduced to the Americas during the colonial era. This non-native trypanosomatid parasite has since established widespread transmission cycles using alternative vectors, and human infection has become a significant concern to public health, especially in Brazil. A multi-kilobase deletion was recently detected in Brazilian L. infantum genomes and is suggested to reduce susceptibility to the anti-leishmanial drug miltefosine. We show that deletion-carrying strains occur in at least 15 Brazilian states and describe diversity patterns suggesting that these derive from common ancestral mutants rather than from recurrent independent mutation events. We also show that the deleted locus and associated enzymatic activity is restored by hybridization with non-deletion type strains. Genetic exchange appears common in areas of secondary contact but also among closely related parasites. We examine demographic and ecological scenarios underlying this complex L. infantum population structure and discuss implications for disease control.
Texto completo:
1
Bases de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
DNA de Protozoário
/
Genes de Protozoários
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Leishmania infantum
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Genoma de Protozoário
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Evolução Molecular
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Leishmaniose Visceral
País/Região como assunto:
America do sul
/
Brasil
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Commun Biol
Ano de publicação:
2021
Tipo de documento:
Article
País de afiliação:
Reino Unido