Genetic analysis of leishmania parasites in Ecuador: are Leishmania (Viannia) panamensis and Leishmania (V.) Guyanensis distinct taxa?
Bañuls, A.L.; Jonquieres, R.; Guerrini, F.; Le Pont, F.; Barrera, C.; Espinel, I.; Guderian, R.; Echeverria, R.; Tibayrenc, M.
American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene 61(5): 838-845
1999
ISSN/ISBN: 0002-9637 PMID: 10586922 Document Number: 508430
During an epidemiological survey in Ecuador, isolates of Leishmania were obtained from 28 patients with clinical signs of leishmaniasis, 2 sloths, one dog and 4 sandflies (Phlebotominae). For genetic characterization of these stocks, multilocus enzyme electrophoresis (MLEE) and random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) were used. 26 of the 35 stocks were identified as either Leishmania panamensis or L. guyanensis, 2 stocks were identified as L. braziliensis, the 2 stocks from sloths showed specific genotypes, and 5 stocks were characterized as hybrids between L. braziliensis and L. guyanensis. The data show that genetic diversity of Leishmania in Ecuador is high and that L. panamensis/guyanensis is the dominant group in this country. The genetic analysis questioned the distinction between these 2 species since MLEE and RAPD data did not indicate that L. panamensis and L. guyanensis corresponded to distinct monophyletic lines. Thus, population genetic analysis performed on the L. panamensis/guyanensis group favours the hypothesis of a basically clonal population structure.