Phylogenetic insights on Leishmania detected in cats as revealed by nucleotide sequence analysis of multiple genetic markers.

Phylogenetic insights on Leishmania detected in cats as revealed by nucleotide sequence analysis of multiple genetic markers. Infect Genet Evol. 2019 Oct 25;77:104069 Authors: Pereira A, Parreira R, Cristóvão JM, Castelli G, Bruno F, Vitale F, Campino L, Maia C Abstract Cats have been found infected by the same Leishmania species that also infect dogs and humans in both the New and Old Worlds, and their role as additional reservoir hosts of L. infantum has been previously suggested. Currently, the genetic diversity of Leishmania spp. detected in cats is poorly understood. In this cross-sectional study, the partial nucleotide sequences of four gene markers (cytB, g6pdh, hsp70 and ITS-rDNA) were explored to investigate the genetic diversity and the phylogenetic relationships of Leishmania parasites detected in cats. A total of 25 cat buffy coat samples where the presence of Leishmania SSU-rDNA was revealed by PCR (from a convenience sample of 465 cats screened), as well as six Leishmania strains previously isolated from cats, were included in this study. Phylogenetic analyses showed that the majority of Leishmania parasites detected in cats did not display distinctive genetic features, sharing the same genetic types with L. infantum strains isolated from humans, dogs and phlebotomine sand flies. Unexpectedly, DNA of L. major and/or of a L. major/L. donovani sensu lato hybrid was detected in buffy coat samples of two cats from differe...
Source: Infection, Genetics and Evolution - Category: Genetics & Stem Cells Authors: Tags: Infect Genet Evol Source Type: research