Paracoccidioides brasiliensis Isolated from Nine-Banded Armadillos (Dasypus novemcinctus) Reveal Population Structure and Admixture in the Amazon Basin

Abstract

Paracoccidioidomycosis is an endemic fungal disease to Latin America caused by at least five species-level genotypes of Paracoccidioides, named P. lutzii, P. brasiliensis (S1a and S1b populations), P. americana, P. restrepiensis, and P. venezuelensis. In this manuscript, we report on Paracoccidioides sp. sampling efforts in armadillos from two different areas in Brazil. We sequenced the genomes of seven Paracoccidioides isolates and used phylogenomics and populations genetics for genotyping. We found that P. brasiliensis and P. lutzii are both present in the Amazon region. Additionally, we identified two Paracoccidioides isolates that seem to be the result of admixture between divergent populations within P. brasiliensis sensu stricto. Both of these isolates were recovered from armadillos in a P. lutzii endemic area in Midwestern Brazil. Additionally, two isolates from human patients also show evidence of resulting from admixture. Our results suggest that the populations of P. brasiliensis sensu stricto exchange genes in nature. More generally, they suggest that population structure and admixture within species is an important source of variation for pathogenic fungi.

Molecular eco-epidemiology of Paracoccidioides brasiliensis in road-killed mammals reveals Cerdocyon thous and Cuniculus paca as new hosts harboring this fungal pathogen

“…in Xenarthra members, precisely nine-banded armadillos, from which P . brasiliensis has been detected in several organs [ 7 , 22 , 26 ]. On the other hand, there are few cases of P .…”

“…Concerning the animals' scientific order, our results are in accordance with the literature data, showing a higher rate of positivity for identification of Paracoccidioides spp. in Xenarthra members, precisely nine-banded armadillos, from which P. brasiliensis has been detected in several organs [7,22,26]. On the other hand, there are few cases of P. brasiliensis identification in Carnivora members other than C. thous (S1 Table ) and no reports of this fungal identification in herbivorous rodent pacas.…”

Molecular epidemiology of Paracoccidiodes spp. recovered from patients with paracoccidioidomycosis in a teaching hospital from Minas Gerais State of Brazil

“…In accordance with the taxonomic evolution, S1/ P . brasiliensis was proposed to be constituted by two lineages, S1a and S1b [ 11 ], which was later endorsed by other authors [ 18 , 52 , 55 ]. The S1b lineage was associated with most isolates of Paracoccidioides spp.…”

“…PS2/ P . americana was recovered from armadillos ( Dasypus novemcinctus ) in different places [ 18 , 35 ] and from a female Doberman dog with generalized lymphadenomegaly [ 14 , 58 , 59 ]. It has been suggested that this species could be less virulent than S1/ P .…”

“…Divergency times among species pairs range from 0,03 to 33 million years and may be explained by geographical overlapping [ 10 ]. In addition, Brazil and Venezuela might harbor more than one species of Paracoccidioides which opens the possibility for gene exchange between those species [ 17 ] and therefore the emergence of new admixed species as recently described [ 18 ].…”