title: Molecular markers for species identification in the Leishmania subgenus Viannia.
abstract: We have previously identified a novel genomic sequence of 500 bp, the beta 500-DNA sequence, in the subgenus Leishmania (Viannia). This sequence was localized upstream of the beta-tubulin gene. Restriction fragment length polymorphism and hybridization analysis has shown that the beta 500-DNA sequence is specific to this subgenus. A polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay confirmed this specificity. The beta 500-DNA sequence was apparently absent from the genomic deoxyribonucleic acid of L. colombiensis and L. equatoriensis. These results indicate that a PCR assay based on the beta 500-DNA sequence is likely to be of use to detect and identify Leishmania parasites of this subgenus in clinical samples with high sensitivity, specificity and reliability. The beta 500-DNA sequence can be considered a molecular marker for the subgenus Viannia.
authors.affiliation: Laboratorio de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular de Parásitos, IBE, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Central de Venezuela, Apartado 47577, Caracas 1041A, Venezuela. amendoza@strix.ciens.ucv.ve
authors.forename: Alexis
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mendoza-León
authors.forename: Luis
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Luis
authors.forename: Octavio
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Fernandes
authors.forename: Elisa
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Cupolillo
authors.forename: Lineth
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: García
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D016054:DNA, Protozoan / Q000235:genetics*; D005819:Genetic Markers; D018503:Genome, Protozoan; D006801:Humans; D007891:Leishmania / Q000145:classification* / Q000235:genetics; D016773:Leishmaniasis, Cutaneous / Q000175:diagnosis*; D010274:Parasitology / Q000379:methods; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods; D012150:Polymorphism, Restriction Fragment Length; D013045:Species Specificity
chemical_list: D016054:DNA, Protozoan; D005819:Genetic Markers