A novel Genotype and First Record of Trypanosoma lainsoni in Argentina

DÍAZ, ANAHÍ; RAGONE, PAULA; RUSMAN, FANNY; FLORIDIA YAPUR, NOELIA; BARQUEZ R.M.; DÍAZ M. MÓNICA; TOMASINI, NICOLÁS; DIOSQUE, PATRICIO

Pathogens

MDPI AG

Lugar: Basel; Año: 2020 vol. 9 p. 1 - 11

2076-0817

Trypanosomes are a group of parasitic flagellates with medical and veterinaryimportance. Despite many species having been described in this genus, little is known about manyof them. Here, we report a genetic and morphological characterization of trypanosomatids isolatedfrom wild mammals from the Argentine Chaco region. Parasites were morphologically andultrastructurally characterized by light microscopy and transmission electron microscopy.Additionally, 18s rRNA and gGAPDH genes were sequenced and analyzed using maximumlikelihood and Bayesian inference. Morphological characterization showed clear characteristicsassociated with the Trypanosoma genus. The genetic characterization demonstrates that the studiedisolates have identical sequences and a pairwise identity of 99% with Trypanosoma lainsoni, whichbelongs to the clade of lizards and snakes/rodents and marsupials. To date, this species had onlybeen found in the Amazon region. Our finding represents the second report of T. lainsoni and thefirst record for the Chaco region. Furthermore, we ultrastructurally described for the first time thespecies. Finally, the host range of T. lainsoni was expanded (Leopardus geoffroyi, Carenivora, Felidae;and Calomys sp., Rodentia, Cricetidae), showing a wide host range for this species.