E.Henrique G. Rodrigues (2007). Analysis of minicircle sequences of kDNA obtained from clinical samples (lesions and scars) of patients with American cutaneous leishmaniasis in Pernambuco State, Brazil. Genet. Mol. Res. 6(1): 238-239.

 

 

Some species of the genus Leishmania are causative agents of leishmaniasis, which is an important public health concern. American cutaneous leishmaniasis (ACL), caused by Leishmania (Viannia) braziliensis, is characterized by cutaneous lesions that heal spontaneously or after specific treatment. In the present study, in vitro and in silico approaches were performed to analyze the mitochondrial genome. Two hundred and ninety complete Leishmania sp kDNA minicircles obtained from clinical samples (lesions and scars) of patients with ACL were studied. The present study demonstrates multiple alignment of minicircle sequences, where size polymorphisms (ranging from 518-797 bp) were present, as well as sequence polymorphisms, indicating significant heterogeneity of classes, particularly in minicircles amplified from active cutaneous lesions. The minicircle sequences obtained from scars were grouped into one cluster, indicating some degree of homogeneity, possibly due to clonal selection. Read more. . .