Characterization of Leishmania sp strains isolated from autochthonous cases of human cutaneous leishmaniasis in Santa Catarina State, southern Brazil

Four Leishmania sp. samples were isolated from autochthonous human cases of American cutaneous leishmaniasis (ACL) in Santa Catarina State, southern B razil. These strains were characterized using indirect immunofluorescence w ith a panel of Leishmanin-specific monoclonal antibodies (MAbs), and by PCR amplification and hybridization assay of the mini-exon gene with group spe cific probes. The results obtained with the MAbs were in agreement with the genetic marker. Two isolates (MHOM/BR/89/JSC89-H1 and MHOMIBR/89/JSC89-H2) were identified as L. (Leishmania) amazonensis and two (MHOM/BR/96/LSC96-H 3 and MHOM/BR/97/LSC97-H4) as L. (Viannia) braziliensis. The southernmost a utochthonous cases of ACL in Brazil are due to two different Leishmania sp. species, confirming the spreading of ACL on the American continent. (C) 20 00 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.