Insights on genomic profiles of drug resistance and virulence in a cohort of Leishmania infantum isolates from the Mediterranean area.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Drug-resistant strains of Leishmania infantum challenge the effectiveness of treatments for clinical leishmaniosis and may lead to more frequent relapses. Copy number variation (CNV) at specific genetic loci is associated with drug resistance and virulence, but information about its prevalence in endemic regions is limited. This study examines the drug resistance and virulence status of Leishmania strains in human and canine isolates from the Mediterranean region.

Methods

Forty-eight Leishmania infantum isolates were whole-genome sequenced with nanopore long reads, followed by de novo assembly. We analyzed chromosomal aneuploidies and gene copy number variation in loci linked to drug resistance and virulence in Leishmania, alongside the genomic structure and rearr

SUBMITTER: Carrasco-Martin M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12802309 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature