Genomic diversity in the Leishmania donovani complex

The Leishmania donovani complex is considered to be composed of 3 species; L. donovani, L, infantum and L. chagasi, although this classification has b een challenged. Genotypic relationships within the complex were evaluated a t different levels by: binding of the probe Lmet9, specific for L. chagasi and Old World Leishmania spp.; partial sequencing of a constitutive major s urface protease single gene (mspC) and random amplification of polymorphic DNA (RAPD). The Old World Leishmania spp, and the L. donovani complex have a monophyletic origin. Leishmania chagasi clearly belongs to the L, donovan i complex but it is indistinguishable from L. infantum, which suggests intr oduction of L. chagasi into the New World in recent history. Leishmania inf antum/L. chagasi was identified as a monophyletic group within the L. donov ani complex but L. donovani may be paraphyletic. Diversity within L. donova ni is substantial and phylogeographical patterns of association were found.