Academic Journal
Genetic Profiling of Leishmania Species Causing Human Visceral Leishmaniasis in Algeria.
| Τίτλος: | Genetic Profiling of Leishmania Species Causing Human Visceral Leishmaniasis in Algeria. |
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| Συγγραφείς: | Zait H; Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Health sciences, 36 Street Château Neuf, Benaknoun, 16002, Algiers, Algeria. zaithouria@gmail.com.; Laboratory of Ecology and Epidemiology and Genetics of Parasitic Populations, Pasteur Institute of Algeria, Street of petit Staoueli, Dely-Brahim, 16048, Algiers, Algeria. zaithouria@gmail.com., Kernif T; Laboratory of Ecology and Epidemiology and Genetics of Parasitic Populations, Pasteur Institute of Algeria, Street of petit Staoueli, Dely-Brahim, 16048, Algiers, Algeria., Khardine FA; Laboratoire des Arbovirus et Virus Emergents, Pasteur Institute of Algeria, SidiFredj, 16096, Algiers, Algeria., Sekkai A; Laboratory of Biodiversity and Environment: Interactions-Genomes, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Science and Technology Houari Boumediene, 16042, Algiers, Algeria., Boutellis A; Laboratory of Biodiversity and Environment: Interactions-Genomes, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Science and Technology Houari Boumediene, 16042, Algiers, Algeria., Hachid A; Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Health sciences, 36 Street Château Neuf, Benaknoun, 16002, Algiers, Algeria.; Laboratoire des Arbovirus et Virus Emergents, Pasteur Institute of Algeria, SidiFredj, 16096, Algiers, Algeria., Hamrioui B; Parasitology and mycology Department, Mustapha tertiary care hospital, Place du 1er Mai, 16000, Algiers, Algeria., Benaissa S; Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Health sciences, 36 Street Château Neuf, Benaknoun, 16002, Algiers, Algeria.; Parasitology and mycology Department, Mustapha tertiary care hospital, Place du 1er Mai, 16000, Algiers, Algeria., Eddaikra N; Laboratory of Ecology and Epidemiology and Genetics of Parasitic Populations, Pasteur Institute of Algeria, Street of petit Staoueli, Dely-Brahim, 16048, Algiers, Algeria. |
| Πηγή: | Acta parasitologica [Acta Parasitol] 2026 Aug 07; Vol. 71 (4). Date of Electronic Publication: 2026 Aug 07. |
| Τύπος έκδοσης: | Journal Article |
| Γλώσσα: | English |
| Στοιχεία περιοδικού: | Publisher: Springer International Publishing Country of Publication: Switzerland NLM ID: 9301947 Publication Model: Electronic Cited Medium: Internet ISSN: 1896-1851 (Electronic) Linking ISSN: 12302821 NLM ISO Abbreviation: Acta Parasitol Subsets: MEDLINE |
| Imprint Name(s): | Publication: 2019- : Cham : Springer International Publishing Original Publication: Warszawa : Witold Stefanski Institute Of Parasitology |
| Ιατρικοί όροι (MeSH): | Leishmaniasis, Visceral*/parasitology , Leishmaniasis, Visceral*/epidemiology , Leishmania*/genetics , Leishmania*/classification , Leishmania*/isolation & purification , Genetic Profile*, Algeria/epidemiology ; Leishmania infantum/genetics ; Leishmania infantum/isolation & purification ; DNA, Protozoan/genetics ; Humans ; Female ; Male ; Adolescent ; Adult ; Child ; Phylogeny ; Young Adult ; Middle Aged ; Polymorphism, Restriction Fragment Length ; Child, Preschool ; Infant ; Aged |
| Περίληψη: | Background: Human visceral leishmaniasis (HVL) in Algeria is primarily caused by Leishmania infantum. This study aimed to genetically identify the Leishmania species responsible for HVL in Algerian patients. Methods: This descriptive molecular case series included 13 patients diagnosed between 2010 and 2022. DNA from blood, bone marrow, and skin lesion smears was analyzed using ITS1-PCR, RFLP analysis and Sanger sequencing. The resulting sequences were compared with GenBank references, and phylogenetic analyses were performed. Results: L. infantum was identified in 11 of 13 cases (84.6%). Most visceral leishmaniasis cases occurred in patients younger than 16 years, whereas adult cases were primarily immunocompromised patients, particularly those living with HIV/AIDS. Phylogenetic analyses revealed a high degree of similarity between Algerian L. infantum isolates and Mediterranean strains. In addition to L. infantum, L. tropica DNA and, surprisingly, L. major DNA was also identified. L. major DNA was detected in one immunocompetent child, while L. tropica DNA was detected in a skin lesion of an immunocompromised adult who presented with a concomitant relapse of HVL. These atypical molecular findings require cautious interpretation and further investigation. Conclusions: L. infantum remains the principal causative agent of HVL in Algeria. The atypical molecular findings should be interpreted cautiously and highlight the need for continued molecular surveillance, larger studies incorporating additional genetic markers, and investigations of vector dynamics and animal reservoirs. (© 2026. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature Switzerland AG.) |
| Competing Interests: | Declarations. Competing interests: The authors declare no competing interests. Ethics Approval and Consent to Participate: See cover letter. Consent for Publication: See cover letter. Generative AI and AI-Assisted Technologies in the Writing Process: During the preparation of this work the authors used ChatGPT 4.0 in order to correct grammar and spelling. After using this tool/service, the authors reviewed and edited the content as needed and take full responsibility for the content of the published article. |
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| Contributed Indexing: | Keywords: Leishmania infantum; Algeria; Human visceral leishmaniasis; Molecular identification |
| Substance Nomenclature: | 0 (DNA, Protozoan) |
| Entry Date(s): | Date Created: 20260807 Date Completed: 20260807 Latest Revision: 20260822 |
| Update Code: | 20260822 |
| DOI: | 10.1007/s11686-026-01355-5 |
| PMID: | 42565895 |
| Βάση Δεδομένων: | MEDLINE |
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