Author response: Global genome diversity of the Leishmania donovani complex (original) (raw)

Global genome diversity of the Leishmania donovani complex

Protozoan parasites of the Leishmania donovani complex, L. donovani and L. infantum, cause the fatal disease visceral leishmaniasis. We present the first comprehensive genome-wide global study, with 151 cultured field isolates representing most of the geographical distribution. L. donovani isolates separated into five groups that largely coincide with geographical origin but vary greatly in diversity. In contrast, the majority of L. infantum samples fell into one globally-distributed group with little diversity. This picture is complicated by several hybrid lineages. Identified genetic groups vary in heterozygosity and levels of linkage, suggesting different recombination histories. We characterise chromosome-specific patterns of aneuploidy and identified extensive structural variation, including known and suspected drug resistance loci. This study reveals greater genetic diversity than suggested by geographically-focused studies, provides a resource of genomic variation for future ...

Genomic diversity in the Leishmania donovani complex

Parasitology, 1999

The Leishmania donovani complex is considered to be composed of 3 species ; L. donovani, L. infantum and L. chagasi, although this classification has been challenged. Genotypic relationships within the complex were evaluated at different levels by : binding of the probe Lmet9, specific for L. chagasi and Old World Leishmania spp. ; partial sequencing of a constitutive major surface protease single gene (mspC) and random amplification of polymorphic DNA (RAPD). The Old World Leishmania spp. and the L. donovani complex have a monophyletic origin. Leishmania chagasi clearly belongs to the L. donovani complex but it is indistinguishable from L. infantum, which suggests introduction of L. chagasi into the New World in recent history. Leishmania infantum\L. chagasi was identified as a monophyletic group within the L. donovani complex but L. donovani may be paraphyletic. Diversity within L. donovani is substantial and phylogeographical patterns of association were found.