RESUMEN

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 previous studies. Of the 17 patients diagnosed with CL, Leishmania spp. were successfully identified in 16 patients based on analysis of the cytochrome b gene and rRNA 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 that the classification of L. (L.) venezuelensis should be reconsidered.

Asunto(s)

Leishmania braziliensis/aislamiento & purificación , Leishmania mexicana/aislamiento & purificación , Leishmaniasis Cutánea/enzimología , Adolescente , Adulto , Anciano , Anciano de 80 o más Años , Niño , Preescolar , Femenino , Genes de ARNr/genética , Humanos , Leishmania braziliensis/genética , Leishmania mexicana/genética , Leishmaniasis Cutánea/epidemiología , Leishmaniasis Cutánea/genética , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Epidemiología Molecular , Reacción en Cadena de la Polimerasa , Especificidad de la Especie , Venezuela/epidemiología , Adulto Joven