Amplified single-nucleotide polymorphisms and a (GA)(n) microsatellite marker reveal genetic differentiation between populations of Histoplasma capsulatum from the Americas

Carter, D. A., Taylor, J. W., Dechairo, B., Burt, A., Koenig, G. L., and Wh ite, T. J. 2001. Amplified single-nucleotide polymorphisms and a (GA), micr osatellite marker reveal genetic differentiation between populations of His toplasma capsulatum from the Americas. Fungal Genetics and Biology 34, 37-4 8. Histoplasma capsulatum has a worldwide distribution but is particularly concentrated in the midwestern United States and throughout Central and Sou th America. Genetic differences between isolates resident in separate parts of the world have been reported, but the relationship between the isolates and the level of migration between different endemic foci has not been cle ar. In this study we used multilocus genotypes based on amplified polymorph ic loci and one microsatellite to quantify the level of genetic differentia tion occurring between North and South American populations of H. capsulatu m. Significant genetic differentiation occurred between isolates obtained f rom Indiana and Alabama, and a marked division was seen between the Indiana population and the Class 1 isolates from St. Louis. Strong genetic differe ntiation occurred between the two North American populations and the Colomb ian population. This study supports the separation of North and South Ameri can H. capsulatum into different species, which has been proposed under the phylogenetic species concept. (C) 2001 Academic Press.