High variability of Colombian Trypanosoma cruzi I stocks as revealed by LSSP-PCR minicircle signatures.

34 SALAZAR A., SCHIJMAN AG., AND TRIANA-CHÁVEZ O

ACTA TROPICA

Año: 2006 vol. 100 p. 110 - 118

0001-706X

In Colombia high genetic variability has been found among T. cruzi stocks isolated from different vector and host species, using isoenzyme analysis and RFLP of total kinetoplastid DNA (k DNA) , suggesting that several genetically related T. cruzi populations might be present within a single geographical area or adjacent ones. The objective of this study was to use the Low stringency single primer (LSSP)-PCR technique on variable regions of kDNA minicircles of T. cruzi to determine possible genetic relationships among stocks from distinct geographical regions of Colombia and different vector species and hosts. Although LSSP-PCR analysis showed a high genetic variability among 30 Colombian T. cruzi stocks, 29 of them belonged to T. cruzi lineage I, and one was identified as T.cruzi lineage IIb,  as analyzed by PCR strategies targeted to different nuclear genes . The LSSP-PCR signatures allowed correlation of most isolates with their respective geographical origins, and in one case from host and vector specimens at a same region, suggesting a transmissional event. Variations in LSSP-PCR profiles among T. cruzi I stocks from a same region suggest that they may have a multiclonal character. Our results show that LSSP-PCR is a fast, valuable technique for characterization of intra-lineage polymorphism among T. cruzi stocks.