MITOCHONDRIAL-DNA ANALYSIS OF SPOROTHRIX-SCHENCKII IN COSTA-RICA

Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) types using restriction patterns with HaeIII were investigated in 21 clinical isolates of Sporothrix schenckii in Costa Rica. Nineteen isolates were found to be a new mtDNA type (Type 14), while the remaining two were Type 3 and Type 6. Based on the phyl ogeny of 14 mtDNA types constructed by estimating sequence divergences of mtDNA, S. schenckii were clustered into two main groups: Group A a nd Group B, with Type 14 and Type 3 included in Group A, and Type 6 in Group B. The results suggest that isolates of Group A may exist mainl y in Central America including Costa Rica.