Leishmania species identification using FTA card sampling directly from patients' cutaneous lesions in the state of Lara, Venezuela

概要

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A molecular epidemiological study was performed using FTA card materials directly sampled from lesions of patients with cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) in the state of Lara, Venezuela, where causative agents have been identified as Leishmania (Viannia) braziliensis and L. (Leishmania) venezuelensis in the past studies. Of the seventeen patients diagnosed with CL, Leishmania species were successfully identified in sixteen patients based on analysis of the cytochrome b and ribosomal RNA internal transcribed spacer sequences. Consistent with previous findings, seven of the patients were infected with L. (V.) braziliensis. However, parasites from the other nine patients were genetically identified as L. (L.) mexicana, which differed from results of previous enzymatic and antigenic analyses. These results strongly suggest that L. (L.) venezuelensis is a variant of L. (L.) mexicana, and the classification of L. (L.) venezuelensis should be reconsidered.