Population Structure and Evidence for Both Clonality and Recombination among Brazilian Strains of the Subgenus Leishmania (Viannia)

Abstract

Background/Objectives: Parasites of the subgenus Leishmania (Viannia) cause varying clinical symptoms ranging from cutaneous leishmaniases (CL) with single or few lesions, disseminated CL (DL) with multiple lesions to disfiguring forms of mucocutaneous leishmaniasis (MCL). In this population genetics study, 37 strains of L. (V.) guyanensis, 63 of L. (V.) braziliensis, four of L. (V.) shawi, six of L. (V.) lainsoni, seven of L. (V.) naiffi, one each of L. (V.) utingensis and L. (V.) lindenbergi, and one L. (V.) lainsoni/L. naiffi hybrid from different endemic foci in Brazil were examined for variation at 15 hyper-variable microsatellite markers. Methodology/Principal findings: The multilocus microsatellite profiles obtained for the 120 strains were analysed using both model- and distance-based methods. Significant genetic diversity was observed for all L. (Viannia) strains studied. The two cluster analysis approaches identified two principal genetic groups or populations, one consisting of strains of L. (V.) guyanensis from the Amazon region and the other of strains of L. (V.) braziliensis isolated along the Atlantic coast of Brazil. A third group comprised a heterogeneous assembly of species, including other strains of L. braziliensis isolated from the north of Brazil, which were extremely polymorphic. The latter strains seemed to be more closely related to those of L. (V.) shawi, L. (V.) naiffi, and L. (V.) lainsoni, also isolated in northern Brazilian foci. The MLMT approach identified an epidemic clone consisting of 13 strains of L. braziliensis from Minas Gerais, but evidence for recombination was obtained for the populations of L. (V.) braziliensis from the Atlantic coast and for L. (V.) guyanensis. Conclusions/Significance: Different levels of recombination versus clonality seem to occur within the subgenus L. (Viannia). Though clearly departing from panmixia, sporadic, but long-term sustained recombination might explain the tremendous genetic diversity and limited population structure found for such L. (Viannia) strains.

Protective Profile Involving CD23/IgE‐mediated NO Release is a Hallmark of Cutaneous Leishmaniasis Patients from the Xakriabá Indigenous Community in Minas Gerais, Brazil

“…Another interesting matter that should be discussed is about the parasite contribution to variable clinical manifestations of cutaneous leishmaniasis. A remarkable genetic variability has previously been shown to the L. (Viannia) subgenus [38]. Few reports have shown an association between genetic variability in Leishmania and variable clinical manifestations.…”

Recent advances in trypanosomatid research: genome organization, expression, metabolism, taxonomy and evolution

“…Subsequently, a more complex picture has emerged in which both clonality and gene exchange play significant roles, called a 'mixed-mating reproductive strategy' (Rougeron et al, 2017). While significant inbreeding and clonality signatures were found in populations of L. braziliensis and L. guyanensis (Rougeron et al, 2009(Rougeron et al, , 2011aKuhls et al, 2013), the preponderance of clonality was stronger in studied populations of L. donovani (Rougeron et al, 2011b). A recent population genomics study of L. donovani from epidemic foci in India showed evidence for drug resistance having spread among populations by genetic recombination, as well as for clonal propagation of the major genetic groups under study (Imamura et al, 2016).…”

Leishmania naiffi and Leishmania guyanensis reference genomes highlight genome structure and gene evolution in the Viannia subgenus

“…MLSA of 100 Viannia isolates across four genes and genome-wide diversity inferred from mapped reads indicated that L. guyanensis LgCL085 was closest to L. panamensis PSC-1 within the L. guyanensis species complex, but was assigned the L. guyanensis classification because L. guyanensis, L. panamensis and L. shawi were a monophyletic species complex as shown by MLSA [56], MLMT [64], hsp70 [65], internal transcribed spacer (ITS) [84,85], MLEE [86] and RAPD data [87]. Further typing of a more extensive L. guyanensis, L. panamensis and L. shawi isolate set might clarify if these are distinct species or a single genetic group.…”