Open AccessPolymorphism in the rpoT gene in Mycobacterium leprae isolates obtained from Latin American countries and its possible correlation with the spread of leprosy
Author(s) -
Matsuoka Masanori,
Zhang Liangfen,
Morris Mary Fafutis,
Legua Pedro,
Wiens Carlos
Publication year - 2005
Publication title -
fems microbiology letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.899
H-Index - 151
eISSN - 1574-6968
pISSN - 0378-1097
DOI - 10.1016/j.femsle.2004.12.031
Subject(s) - mycobacterium leprae , tandem repeat , genotype , leprosy , biology , gene , genetics , polymorphism (computer science) , virology , genome , immunology
The genotypes of Mycobacterium leprae isolates originating from Mexico, Peru and Paraguay were analysed for the polymorphism of short tandem repeats in the rpoT gene. The genotype with four copies of the six‐base tandem repeats in the rpoT gene was prominently predominant in Mexico, but the genotype of all isolates from Peru and Paraguay contained three copies of the six‐base tandem repeats. These obvious different distributions might reflect the spread of leprosy by the different strains of M. leprae harboured by the various human races that moved to the American continent, as has been demonstrated in other infectious diseases.