A suspected new species of Leishmania, the causative agent of visceral leishmaniasis in a Thai patient.
A suspected new species of Leishmania is described as the causative agent of the third reported case of autochthonous visceral leishmaniasis in a Thai man living in Southern Thailand. The results of PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism and sequence analysis of the internal transcribed spacer 1 of ssrRNA and the mini-exon genes were different from those of previously reported Leishmania species. A direct agglutination test (DAT) revealed that antibody against Leishmania infection was detected in nine domestic cats. No potential vectors could be identified. A large-scale epidemiological survey of leishmaniasis should be urgently conducted since visceral leishmaniasis is considered an emerging disease of public health concern in Thailand.
Sukmee
Theerayudh
T
Bureau of Epidemiology Ministry of Public Health, Nonthaburi 11000, Thailand.
Siripattanapipong
Suradej
S
Mungthin
Mathirut
M
Worapong
Jeerapun
J
Rangsin
Ram
R
Samung
Yudhthana
Y
Kongkaew
Wandee
W
Bumrungsana
Kusak
K
Chanachai
Karoon
K
Apiwathanasorn
Chamnan
C
Rujirojindakul
Pairaya
P
Wattanasri
Somsak
S
Ungchusak
Kumnun
K
Leelayoova
Saovanee
S
D000372:Agglutination Tests; D000818:Animals; D000913:Antibodies, Protozoan / Q000235:genetics; D002415:Cats; D016054:DNA, Protozoan / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics; D021903:DNA, Ribosomal Spacer / Q000235:genetics; D004285:Dogs; D006801:Humans; D007891:Leishmania / Q000145:classification* / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D016773:Leishmaniasis, Cutaneous / Q000235:genetics*; D007898:Leishmaniasis, Visceral / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology; D008297:Male; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012150:Polymorphism, Restriction Fragment Length; D011200:Poultry; D011817:Rabbits; D051381:Rats; D013785:Thailand
D000913:Antibodies, Protozoan; D016054:DNA, Protozoan; D021903:DNA, Ribosomal Spacer