title: Spatio-temporal Genetic Structuring of Leishmania major in Tunisia by Microsatellite Analysis.
abstract: In Tunisia, cases of zoonotic cutaneous leishmaniasis caused by Leishmania major are increasing and spreading from the south-west to new areas in the center. To improve the current knowledge on L. major evolution and population dynamics, we performed multi-locus microsatellite typing of human isolates from Tunisian governorates where the disease is endemic (Gafsa, Kairouan and Sidi Bouzid governorates) and collected during two periods: 1991-1992 and 2008-2012. Analysis (F-statistics and Bayesian model-based approach) of the genotyping results of isolates collected in Sidi Bouzid in 1991-1992 and 2008-2012 shows that, over two decades, in the same area, Leishmania parasites evolved by generating genetically differentiated populations. The genetic patterns of 2008-2012 isolates from the three governorates indicate that L. major populations did not spread gradually from the south to the center of Tunisia, according to a geographical gradient, suggesting that human activities might be the source of the disease expansion. The genotype analysis also suggests previous (Bayesian model-based approach) and current (F-statistics) flows of genotypes between governorates and districts. Human activities as well as reservoir dynamics and the effects of environmental changes could explain how the disease progresses. This study provides new insights into the evolution and spread of L. major in Tunisia that might improve our understanding of the parasite flow between geographically and temporally distinct populations.
authors: Institut Pasteur, Tunis, Tunisia; Faculté des Sciences de Bizerte-Université de Carthage, Tunis, Tunisia.
authors: Myriam
authors: M
authors: Harrabi
authors: Institut Pasteur, Tunis, Tunisia.
authors: Jihène
authors: J
authors: Bettaieb
authors: Institut Pasteur, Tunis, Tunisia.
authors: Wissem
authors: W
authors: Ghawar
authors: Institut Pasteur, Tunis, Tunisia.
authors: Amine
authors: A
authors: Toumi
authors: Institut Pasteur, Tunis, Tunisia.
authors: Amor
authors: A
authors: Zaâtour
authors: Institut Pasteur, Tunis, Tunisia.
authors: Rihab
authors: R
authors: Yazidi
authors: Institut Pasteur, Tunis, Tunisia.
authors: Sana
authors: S
authors: Chaâbane
authors: Institut Pasteur, Tunis, Tunisia.
authors: Bilel
authors: B
authors: Chalghaf
authors: UMR MIVEGEC (IRD 224-CNRS5290-Universités Montpellier 1 et 2), Centre IRD, Montpellier, France.
authors: Mallorie
authors: M
authors: Hide
authors: UMR MIVEGEC (IRD 224-CNRS5290-Universités Montpellier 1 et 2), Centre IRD, Montpellier, France.
authors: Anne-Laure
authors: AL
authors: Bañuls
authors: Institut Pasteur, Tunis, Tunisia.
authors: Afif
authors: A
authors: Ben Salah
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D014644:Genetic Variation; D005838:Genotype; D006801:Humans; D018320:Leishmania major / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D016773:Leishmaniasis, Cutaneous / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000469:parasitology*; D018895:Microsatellite Repeats; D014416:Tunisia / Q000453:epidemiology