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Population structure and genetic typing of Trypanosoma cruzi, the agent of Chagas disease: a multilocus enzyme electrophoresis approach

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 May 2000

C. BARNABÉ
Affiliation:
Centre d'Etudes sur le Polymorphisme des Microorganismes (CEPM), Unité Mixte de Recherche Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)/Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD) no. 9926, IRD, BP 5045, 34032 Montpellier Cedex 01, France
S. BRISSE
Affiliation:
Centre d'Etudes sur le Polymorphisme des Microorganismes (CEPM), Unité Mixte de Recherche Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)/Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD) no. 9926, IRD, BP 5045, 34032 Montpellier Cedex 01, France
M. TIBAYRENC
Affiliation:
Centre d'Etudes sur le Polymorphisme des Microorganismes (CEPM), Unité Mixte de Recherche Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)/Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD) no. 9926, IRD, BP 5045, 34032 Montpellier Cedex 01, France

Abstract

A set of 434 Trypanosoma cruzi stocks from a wide ecogeographical range was analysed by Multilocus Enzyme Electrophoresis for 22 genetic loci. Strong linkage disequilibrium, not associated with geographical distance, and 2 main genetic clusters each considerably heterogeneous, was observed. These results support the hypotheses previously proposed that T. cruzi natural populations are composed of highly diversified genetic clones distributed into 2 main phylogenetic lineages: lineage 1, the most ubiquitous in the endemic area, was more frequently observed in sylvatic cycles, whereas lineage 2, predominant in humans and domestic cycles, in the southern part of the area surveyed, was further partitioned into 5 lesser genetic subdivisions. T. cruzi appears therefore subdivided into at least 6 ‘discrete typing units’ or DTUs (Tibayrenc, 1998ac). We have identified various specific isoenzyme markers (‘tags’; Tibayrenc, op. cit.) suitable for the routine identification of these DTUs for epidemiological tracking purposes. We discuss the correspondence with previous classifications and with the recent recommendations of the 90th anniversary of the discovery of Chagas disease symposium, as well as the impact of T. cruzi genetic variability on this parasite's biomedical diversity.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
2000 Cambridge University Press

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