Genetic diversity in natural populations of New World Leishmania
Mem. Inst. Oswaldo Cruz
; 93(5): 663-8, Sept.-Oct. 1998. graf
Article
in En
| LILACS
| ID: lil-217860
Responsible library:
BR15.1
RESUMO
Our results have shown the wide diversity of parasites within New World Leishmania. Biochemical and molecular characterization of species within the genus has revealed that much of the population heterogeneity has a genetic basis. The source of genetic diversity among Leishmania appears to arise from predominantly asexual, clonal reproduction, although occasional bouts of sexual reproduction can be ruled out. Genetic variation is extensive with some clones widely distributed and others seemingly unique and localized to a particular endemic focus. Epidemiological studies of leishmaniasis has been directed to the ecology and dynamics of Leishmania species/variants, particularly in localized areas. Future research using molecular techniques should aim to identify and following Leishmania types in nature and correlate genetic typing with important clinical characteristics such as virulence, pathogenicity, drug resistance and antigenic variation. The epidemiological significance of such variation not only has important implications for the control of the leishmaniases, but would also help to elucidate the evolutionary biology of the causative agents.
Full text:
1
Index:
LILACS
Main subject:
Genetic Variation
/
Leishmaniasis
/
Leishmania
Type of study:
Prognostic_studies
Limits:
Animals
Language:
En
Journal:
Mem. Inst. Oswaldo Cruz
Journal subject:
MEDICINA TROPICAL
/
PARASITOLOGIA
Year:
1998
Type:
Article
/
Congress and conference