We obtained ribosomal and mitochondrial DNA sequences from residents of Amazonas state, Brazil, with Mansonella parasitemias. Phylogenetic analysis of these sequences confirm that M. ozzardi and M. perstans parasites occur in sympatry and reveal the close relationship between M. perstans in Africa and Brazil, providing insights into the parasite's New World origins.
Keywords: Africa; Amazonas; Brazil; Culicoides midges; Mansonella ozzardi; Mansonella parasitemia; Mansonella perstans; New World; São Gabriel da Cachoeira; molecular verification; parasites; parasitic infection; vector-borne diseases.