Genetic diversity among isolates of Trichinella spiralis from the Provinceof Buenos Aires, Argentina

Random Amplified Polymorphic DNAs, (RAPDs) are used to study the occurrence of Trichinella britovi and T5 among domestic animals in the Province of Bu enos Aires, Argentina and to assess the genetic diversity among isolates of T. spiralisfrom this area in a number of infected hosts. All the local iso lates proved to be T. spiralis. Six of the eight primers used indicate that the Buenos Aires isolates are distinct from each other as they produce a c onsiderable number of polymorphic bands. Our overall estimates are relative ly higher than other intraspecific distances previously estimated within sp ecies of this genus and among T. spiralis isolates. Such high degrees of va riability observed among local isolates and between isolates from Buenos Ai res and Spain should be taken into account when defining isolates within th is species, and considering differences in the epidemiology of T. spiralis.