title: In vitro and in vivo behaviour of sympatric Leishmania (V.) braziliensis, L. (V.) peruviana and their hybrids.
abstract: Leishmania (Viannia) braziliensis is the main cause of highly disfiguring mucocutaneous leishmaniasis (MCL) in South America. The related species L. (V.) peruviana has only been identified in simple cutaneous lesions (CL). Hybrids between L. braziliensis and L. peruviana have been reported although genetic exchange in Leishmania is considered to be rare. Here we compared growth in vitro, adaptive capacity under thermal and oxidative stress and behaviour in a hamster model, of L. braziliensis, L. peruviana, and their putative hybrids. At 24°C, the optimal temperature for in vitro growth, L. braziliensis had the highest growth rate. In in vitro studies hybrid clones presented heterogeneous phenotypes, from slower growth rates, similar to L. peruviana, to higher growth rates, as observed in L. braziliensis. Hamsters infected with hybrid strains, presented the highest parasite densities and aggressive relapses at a later stage of infection. Hybrids generally presented higher plasticity and phenotypic diversity than the putative parental species, with potential eco-epidemiological implications, including an impact on the success of disease control.
authors: Unidade de Parasitologia Médica, Instituto de Higiene e Medicina Tropical, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Rua da Junqueira, 100, 1346-008 Lisboa, Portugal. scortes@ihmt.unl.pt
authors: Sofia
authors: S
authors: Cortes
authors: Carina
authors: C
authors: Esteves
authors: Isabel
authors: I
authors: Maurício
authors: Carla
authors: C
authors: Maia
authors: José Manuel
authors: JM
authors: Cristovão
authors: Michael
authors: M
authors: Miles
authors: Lenea
authors: L
authors: Campino
mesh_terms: D000222:Adaptation, Physiological; D000818:Animals; D006224:Cricetinae; D006358:Hot Temperature; D006824:Hybridization, Genetic; D006861:Hydrogen Peroxide; D007891:Leishmania / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics* / Q000472:pathogenicity / Q000502:physiology*; D007896:Leishmaniasis / Q000469:parasitology* / Q000473:pathology; D013997:Time Factors; D014774:Virulence
chemical_list: D006861:Hydrogen Peroxide