A Retrospective Study of Genetic Characterization in Suspected Visceral Leishmaniasis Cases in Greece, 2005 to 2020.

ABSTRACT: Leishmania infantum is considered the predominant Leishmania species responsible for visceral leishmaniasis (VL) in Greece but limited molecular-typing-based studies have been performed so far. We retrospectively analyzed data and serum samples collected from 3661 individuals suspected for VL in a sixteen-year period, from 2005 to 2020, to study the seasonality and demographic characteristics of VL cases and to define the L. infantum genotypes circulating in the country. Serum samples were tested with immunofluorescence assay and/or molecular assay. qPCR Leishmania-positive samples were subjected to genotypic analysis based on polymorphisms in 12 microsatellite regions of the internal transcribed spacers (ITSs) 1 and 2. We diagnosed 219 definite (6%, sample with

SUBMITTER: Evangelidou M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11357202 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature