Genetic subdivisions within Trypanosoma cruzi (Discrete Typing Units) and their relevance for molecular epidemiology and experimental evolution.
BACKGROUND: This paper summarizes the main results obtained on Trypanosoma cruzi genetic diversity and population structure since this parasite became the theme of many genetic and molecular studies in the early seventies. RESULTS: T. cruzi exibits a paradigmatic pattern of long-term, clonal evolution, which has structured its natural populations into several discrete genetic subdivisions or "Discrete Typing Units" (DTU). Rare hybridization events are nevertheless detectable in natural populations and have been recently obtained in the laboratory. CONCLUSIONS: The DTUs and natural clones of T. cruzi constitute relevant units for molecular epidemiology and experimental evolution. Experimental mating opens the way to an in-depth knowledge of this parasite's formal genetics.
Tibayrenc
Michel
M
UR62 "Genetics of Infectious Diseases", UMR CNRS/IRD 9926, IRD Centre, BP 64501, 34394 Montpellier Cedex 5, France. Michel.Tibayrenc@mpl.ird.fr