Genetic homogeneity among Leishmania (Leishmania) infantum isolates from dog and human samples in Belo Horizonte Metropolitan Area (BHMA), Minas Gerais, Brazil

Abstract

BackgroundCertain municipalities in the Belo Horizonte Metropolitan Area (BHMA), Minas Gerais, Brazil, have the highest human visceral leishmaniasis (VL) mortality rates in the country and also demonstrate high canine seropositivity. In Brazil, the etiologic agent of VL is Leishmania (Leishmania) infantum. The aim of this study was to evaluate the intraspecific genetic variability of parasites from humans and from dogs with different clinical forms of VL in five municipalities of BHMA using PCR-RFLP and two target genes: kinetoplast DNA (kDNA) and gp63.MethodsIn total, 45 samples of DNA extracted from clinical samples (n = 35) or L. infantum culture (n = 10) were evaluated. These samples originated from three groups: adults (with or without Leishmania/HIV co-infection; n = 14), children (n = 18) and dogs (n = 13). The samples were amplified for the kDNA target using the MC1 and MC2 primers (447 bp), while the Sg1 and Sg2 (1330 bp) primers were used for the gp63 glycoprotein target gene.ResultsThe restriction enzyme patterns of all the samples tested were monomorphic.ConclusionsThese findings reveal a high degree of genetic homogeneity for the evaluated gene targets among L. infantum samples isolated from different hosts and representing different clinical forms of VL in the municipalities of BHMA studied.

Genetic diversity and phylogenetic relationships between Leishmania infantum from dogs, humans and wildlife in south‐east Spain

“…Restriction fragment length polymorphism was less discriminating than SNP genotyping, but it was similarly able to group L. infantum variants specific to humans (genotypes T and F), humans and dogs (genotype S) and those present in humans, dogs and wildlife (genotype B). Leishmania infantum genotypes B and F appear to be widespread in humans in Europe and Latin America (Cortes et al, ; da Silva et al, ; Risueño et al, ; Schönian et al, ). The former was also found in foxes in Murcia (Risueño et al, ) but herein described for the first time in dogs from Spain.…”

“…Genotype F was detected here among HVL and HCL patients of similar age (adults) and different nationalities (Spanish and non‐Spanish), and also in two immunocompromised HVL Portuguese patients, one HCL case in France (Cortes et al, from Blaineau, Bastien, & Pagès, ; Cortes et al, ) and in one Leishmania chagasi (syn. L. infantum HCL patient from Panama (da Silva et al, from Schönian et al, )). The presence of the same genotypes (B and F) in both continents would be expected since L. infantum was introduced in America following the arrival of the Iberian colonizers (Kuhls et al, ; Lukes et al, ).…”

Presence of Vaccine-Derived Newcastle Disease Viruses in Wild Birds

“…For example, a limited dataset of self-reported isolates from GenBank (n = 97) was used to pinpoint the source and direction of spread for Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus within hospitals of Florida [107]. Sequences from convenience samples of Leishmania infantum from Brazil (n = 45) submitted to GenBank were evaluated to determine that no statistical association existed between the host species (canids or humans) and genetic variability within the causative agent [108]. The emergence of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) within densely populated Hong Kong prompted a study in which the only available dataset was a series of convenience samples of GenBank isolates from recently acquired clinical cases from China (n = 168).…”

Immunohistochemical study of renal fibropoiesis associated with dogs naturally and experimentally infected with two different strains ofLeishmania(L.)infantum

“…The authors suggest the hypothesis that BH400 virulence could be a result of the increased expression of KMP‐11 and metallopeptidase, associated with an improved parasite‐host interacting efficiency and degradation of the protective host proteins and peptides. However, we did not have similar data for BH401 strain but Da Silva et al have described a high degree of genetic homogeneity for the evaluated gene targets among L infantum samples isolated from distinct naturally infected dogs and even humans.…”

“…According to Paranhos‐Silva et al and Costa et al, the saliva of sand flies does not seem to potentiate or modulate the course of experimental infection in dogs significantly. On the other hand, concerning the parasite, we already know that there are several studies conducted to examine the intraspecific genetic variability between L. infantum strains that reflects of parasite virulence . In the present work, both the L infantum strains were isolated from the same geographical region (Belo Horizonte Metropolitan Area—BHMA, Minas Gerais State, Brazil) and the same host (dog) .…”