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Evolutionary genomics of epidemic visceral leishmaniasis in the Indian subcontinent

Downing, Tim (2016) Evolutionary genomics of epidemic visceral leishmaniasis in the Indian subcontinent. Elife, 2016 (5). p. 12613. ISSN 2050-084X

Abstract
Leishmania donovani causes visceral leishmaniasis (VL), the second most deadly vectorborne parasitic disease. A recent epidemic in the Indian subcontinent (ISC) caused up to 80% of global VL and over 30,000 deaths per year. Resistance against antimonial drugs has probably been a contributing factor in the persistence of this epidemic. Here we use whole genome sequences from 204 clinical isolates to track the evolution and epidemiology of L. donovani from the ISC. We identify independent radiations that have emerged since a bottleneck coincident with 1960s DDT spraying campaigns. A genetically distinct population frequently resistant to antimonials has a two base-pair insertion in the aquaglyceroporin gene LdAQP1 that prevents the transport of trivalent antimonials. We find evidence of genetic exchange between ISC populations, and show that the mutation in LdAQP1 has spread by recombination. Our results reveal the complexity of L. donovani evolution in the ISC in response to drug treatment.
Metadata
Item Type:Article (Published)
Refereed:Yes
Uncontrolled Keywords:Epidemiology; Evolution; Genomics; Global health; Infectious disease; Leishmania donovani; Microbiology
Subjects:Biological Sciences > Genetics
Biological Sciences > Bioinformatics
Biological Sciences > Microbiology
DCU Faculties and Centres:Research Initiatives and Centres > Scientific Computing and Complex Systems Modelling (Sci-Sym)
DCU Faculties and Schools > Faculty of Science and Health > School of Biotechnology
Publisher:Elife Sciences
Official URL:http://10.7554/eLife.12613
Copyright Information:© 2016 The Authors
Use License:This item is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-Share Alike 3.0 License. View License
ID Code:21123
Deposited On:31 Mar 2016 10:10 by Tim Downing . Last Modified 19 Jul 2018 15:08
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