Low genetic heterogeneity of Leishmania major in different geographical regions of Iran

Spotin, Adel; Rouhani, Soheila; Haghighi, Ali; Parvizi, Parviz

doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0285520

Cited by 3 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 30 publications

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“…Given the high sensitivity and specificity, the ITS1-PCR has been recommended as a useful method in combination with Sanger sequencing for molecular diagnosis and epidemiological studies of leishmaniasis, particularly in endemic areas [52,57,58]. Additionally, the ITS1 region has previously been used to demonstrate intraspecific genetic variability and phylogeographic distribution patterns in several Leishmania species, including L. (L.) donovani complex [59,60], L. (L.) major [61], and L. (L.) tropica [62]. Due to its high sequence accuracy, Sanger sequencing remains the gold standard for molecular species identification.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Nanopore-Based Surveillance of Leishmania Parasites in Culicoides Latrielle (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) Caught from the Affected Community and Tham Phra Cave in Chiang Rai Province, the Endemic Area of Leishmaniasis in Northern Thailand

Ampol,

Somwang,

Khositharattanakool

et al. 2024

Insects

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In this research, we elucidated the species composition of Culicoides biting midges, infection prevalence, and genetic diversity of Leishmania parasites circulating in the affected community in Chiang Rai Province, being the most endemic area in Northern Thailand. A total of 146 parous and gravid females, belonging to at least twelve Culicoides species in five subgenera and one species group, were trapped from three collection sites with an overall Leishmania prevalence of 26.7% (39/146). Leishmania was detected, using ITS1-PCR, in C. mahasarakamense (15), C. guttifer (11), C. (Trithecoides) spp. (8), C. jacobsoni (2), C. oxystoma (2), and C. orientalis (1). The evidence of Leishmania infection in these last five species represents new records in Northern Thailand. Given a high infection rate in cavernicolous specimens, this indicates an increased risk of parasite exposure when visiting the cave. Using the nanopore amplicon sequencing, L. martiniquensis was ubiquitously identified in all positives, and more than half of these were also co-infected with L. orientalis. The genetic diversity analysis revealed 13 and 17 unique haplotypes for L. martiniquensis and L. orientalis, respectively. Higher haplotype diversity and relatively low nucleotide diversity were observed in both parasite populations, suggesting recent population divergence. Neutrality tests (Tajima’s D and Fu and Li’s D) showed to be significantly negative, indicating rapid population growth or a selective sweep. Moreover, dominant haplotypes of both Leishmania species were 100% identical to those in all leishmaniasis patients previously reported from Northern Thailand, strongly supporting the imperative role of Culicoides spp. in disease transmission. Essentially, this research provides the first entomological surveillance data representing the sympatric existence, transmission dynamics, and genetic complexity of two autochthonous Leishmania (Mundinia) parasites in several Culicoides species in the endemic area of Northern Thailand. This would contribute to a more complete understanding of the epidemiology of vector infection and facilitate the development of vector control programs to effectively reduce the transmission of this neglected tropical disease in endemic areas of Northern Thailand.

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