Genetic Variation at the Mitochondrial Large-Subunit rRNA Locus of Pneumocystis Isolates from Simian Immunodeficiency Virus-Infected Rhesus Macaques

Abstract

The nucleotide sequences of a segment of the Pneumocystis mitochondrial large-subunit (mt LSU) rRNA gene from rhesus macaques coinfected with simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) and Pneumocystis carinii were examined. Of 12 isolates examined, 3 were found to be identical and the others showed substantial sequence variation, with up to 13% divergence among variants. We identified two general sequence types that differed at several sites, including a conserved 26-nucleotide insertion. Four monkeys had evidence of two Pneumocystis variants present simultaneously, indicative of a mixed infection. There was a high degree of variance between the rhesus macaque-derived Pneumocystis mt LSU rRNA gene sequence and the cognate sequences in Pneumocystis organisms derived from other hosts. Analysis of the mt LSU rRNA genes of Pneumocystis organisms derived from rhesus macaques and several other mammalian hosts supports the observation that rhesus macaque-derived Pneumocystis is most closely related to human-derived Pneumocystis. In addition, the data identify the mt LSU rRNA gene as an informative locus for transmission and epidemiological studies of the SIV-rhesus macaque model of Pneumocystis infection.

A Molecular Window into the Biology and Epidemiology of Pneumocystis spp

“…Whether the organisms detected in macaques, bats, horses, dogs, ferrets, and other host species represent unique Pneumocystis species remains to be clarified, but these observations support the notion that these organisms are highly ubiquitous and that each mammalian species is infected by at least one Pneumocystis species. Interestingly, based on single-locus PCR studies, wild rats (82), macaques (83,84), bats (85), and dogs (86) are often infected by more than one Pneumocystis population, with sequence divergence approaching or exceeding interspecies levels, raising the question of whether these animals may be infected with more than one distinct species.…”

PersistentPneumocystisColonization Leads to the Development of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease in a Nonhuman Primate Model of AIDS

“…Excellent rationale exists for use of this model as studies have shown that Pc derived from humans and non-human primates to be phylogenetically most closely related[10, 11]. We performed longitudinal studies to determine association between Pc colonization and progression of airway obstruction and emphysema in the context of an AIDS model.…”

Phylogenetic identification of Pneumocystis murina sp. nov., a new species in laboratory mice

“…Pneumocystis cannot be grown in culture. Nevertheless, molecular studies during the last decade have revealed that this genus contains many distinct organisms (Demanche et al, 2001;Denis et al, 2000;Durand-Joly et al, 2000;Guillot et al, 2001;Hunter & Wakefield, 1996;Keely et al, 1994;Ma et al, 2001;Walker et al, 1998;Norris et al, 2003). The genetic and functional diversity exhibited by these organisms suggests that the genus contains more than one species, and three such species have been formally proposed: Pneumocystis jirovecii, the species found in patients suffering from Pneumocystis pneumonia, and Pneumocystis carinii and Pneumocystis wakefieldiae, two species found in laboratory rats (Frenkel, 1976(Frenkel, , 1999Cushion et al, 2004).…”