Analysis of restriction profiles of mitochondrial DNA from Sporothrix schenckii

Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) diversity was analyzed in 42 clinical isolates of Sporothrix schenckii from Mexico (n=29), Guatemala (n=4) and Colombia (n=9 ). Based on HaeIII restriction digestion profiles, the isolates were classi fied into eight types. In addition to 24 mtDNA types previously reported in another study, 6 new types were found in this study. Most of the strains b elong to type 14 and type 30, the former restricted to Mexico, whereas the latter was distributed in Mexico, Guatemala and Colombia. The new types (25 -30) were identified in Mexico, Guatemala and Colombia. Restriction-fragmen t length polymorphism in mtDNA of S. schenckii revealed high levels of gene tic variation attributable to differences in restriction sites as well as i n mtDNA size. Based on genetic distances S. schenckii types were clustered into two main groups.