Phylogenetic reconstruction based on Cytochrome b (Cytb) gene sequences reveals distinct genotypes within Colombian Trypanosoma cruzi I populations

Acta Trop. 2011 Jul;119(1):61-5. doi: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2011.04.009. Epub 2011 Apr 16.

Abstract

Chagas disease caused by Trypanosoma cruzi comprises an important problem of public health in the Americas. This parasite has been recently divided into six Discrete Typing Units (DTUs) due to its high genetic diversity. We sequenced the Cytochorme b (Cytb) gene of 70 T. cruzi I Colombian clones finding four genotypes related to transmission cycles of Chagas disease in Colombia and also to specific hosts of T. cruzi. The genotypes herein described based on Cytb gene sequences are in accordance with those found using the mini-exon gene and reveals once again the enormous genetic diversity at sub-DTU level evidenced in T. cruzi I.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Chagas Disease / transmission
  • Cloning, Molecular
  • Colombia
  • Cytochromes b / genetics*
  • DNA, Protozoan / genetics
  • Exons
  • Genes, Protozoan
  • Genotype
  • Phylogeny*
  • Polymorphism, Genetic*
  • Sequence Alignment / methods
  • Sequence Analysis, DNA
  • Trypanosoma cruzi / classification
  • Trypanosoma cruzi / genetics*

Substances

  • DNA, Protozoan
  • Cytochromes b