Full nucleotide sequencing of ribosomal DNA internal transcribed spacer of Leishmania species causing cutaneous leishmaniasis in Brazil and its potential for species typing

• Published in: Acta tropica 2021-11, Vol.223, p.106093-106093, Article 106093
• Main Authors: Espada, Caroline R., Ferreira, Bianca A., Ortiz, Paola A., Uliana, Silvia R.B., Coelho, Adriano C.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Base Sequence; Brazil; DNA, Protozoan - genetics; DNA, Ribosomal Spacer - genetics; Humans; ITS; Leishmania - classification; Leishmania - genetics; Leishmania species; Leishmaniasis, Cutaneous; Molecular diagnosis; Nucleotides; Phylogeny; rRNA
• ISSN: 0001-706X; 1873-6254
• DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2021.106093

•The full nucleotide sequences of the ribosomal ITS1, 5.8 S and ITS2 of Leishmania (Viannia) lainsoni, L. (V.) lindenbergi L. (V.) naiffi, L. (V.) shawi and L. (V.) utingensis were determined for the first time.•Analysis of ITS sequence of reference strains revealed a low, but significant level of divergence among species of the Viannia subgenus.•The nucleotide sequence of this genomic region may be an alternative method for typing of Leishmania species responsible for cutaneous leishmaniasis in Brazil.•The availability of these sequences may be useful for establishing intra- and interspecies phylogenetic relationships of Leishmania species. Species-specific diagnosis still represents a challenge in leishmaniasis management, particularly in regions with multiple endemic species. In Brazil, seven species have been recognized as etiological agents of cutaneous leishmaniasis. The disease comprises complex clinical presentation patterns, classified as localized, diffuse, disseminated and mucocutaneous leishmaniasis. In this study, we characterized the full nucleotide sequence of a region comprising the ribosomal DNA internal transcribed spacers 1 and 2 and 5.8 S gene of reference strains of Leishmania (Viannia) species reported as causative agents of human leishmaniasis in Brazil. The analysis of the nucleotide sequence of this region was able to discriminate species in the Leishmania (Viannia) subgenus and to determine intra- and interspecies phylogenetic relationships.