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Genetic polymorphism within the leishmania donovani complex: correlation with geographic origin
Eva Zemanová1, Milan Jirků, Isabel L Mauricio
1Institute of Parasitology, Czech Academy of Sciences, and Faculty of Biology, University of South Bohemia, Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic.
The American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene
|June 24, 2004
Summary
Random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) analysis revealed genetic diversity within the Leishmania donovani complex, correlating with geographic origin. Findings suggest L. archibaldi may not be a distinct species.
Area of Science:
- Molecular Biology
- Parasitology
- Genetics
Background:
- The Leishmania donovani complex comprises several morphologically similar species causing visceral and cutaneous leishmaniasis.
- Intraspecific diversity and accurate species delineation are crucial for understanding disease transmission and developing control strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the intraspecific genetic diversity within the Leishmania donovani complex using Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA (RAPD).
- To assess the phylogenetic relationships among different zymodemes and geographic isolates of L. donovani complex.
- To re-evaluate the taxonomic status of Leishmania archibaldi.
Main Methods:
- Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA (RAPD) fingerprinting was employed.
- Fifty-two arbitrary primers (10-21 bp) were used to amplify DNA from 15 Leishmania strains, including L. major and L. tropica as outgroups.
- A total of 902 amplicons were analyzed to assess genetic polymorphism.
Main Results:
- RAPD generated species-specific profiles, with minimal shared amplicons across species (0.6%) but higher commonality within the L. donovani complex (4.3%).
- Phylogenetic analyses showed a strong correlation between genetic polymorphism and geographic origin of the strains.
- Leishmania infantum was consistently paraphyletic in all constructed trees.
- RAPD profiles indicated that MON-30 should be classified under L. donovani.
- The genetic distance of L. archibaldi from other leishmanias did not support its classification as a separate species.
Conclusions:
- RAPD is a valuable tool for delineating genetic diversity within the Leishmania donovani complex.
- Geographic origin significantly influences the genetic makeup of L. donovani complex strains.
- The taxonomic status of L. archibaldi requires re-evaluation, as current genetic data do not support its distinction as a separate species.