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RESEARCH PRODUCT

Genetic Variability and Phylogenetic Relationships within Trypanosoma cruzi I Isolated in Colombia Based on Miniexon Gene Sequences

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Phylogenetic studies ofTrypanosoma cruzihave identified the existence of two groups:T. cruziI andT. cruziII. There are aspects that still remain unknown about the genetic variability within theT. cruziI group. Given its epidemiological importance, it is necessary to have a better understanding ofT. cruzitransmission cycles. Our purpose was to corroborate the existence of haplotypes within theT. cruziI group and to describe the genetic variability and phylogenetic relationships, based on single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) found in the miniexon gene intergenic region, for the isolates from different hosts and epidemiological transmission cycles in Colombian regions. 31T. cruziisolates were molecularly characterized. Phylogenetic relationships withinT. cruziI isolates showed four haplotype groups (Ia–Id), associated with their transmission cycle. In previous studies, we reported that haplotype Ia is mainly associated with the domestic cycle and domiciliatedRhodnius prolixus. Haplotype Ib is associated with the domestic cycle and peridomestic cycle, haplotype Ic is closely related with the peridomestic cycle, and haplotype Id is strongly associated with the sylvatic cycle. The phylogenetic methodologies applied in this study are tools that bolster the associations among isolates and thus shed light on Chagas disease epidemiology.