Direct sequencing of Leishmania donovani from patients in Garissa County, Northern Kenya, reveals a newly emerging intra-specific hybrid genotype.

ABSTRACT:

Introduction

Leishmaniasis is endemic in many countries, and in Kenya outbreaks of visceral leishmaniasis (VL) commonly occur in Garissa, Isiolo, Marsabit, Turkana, and Wajir. Despite the rising frequency of VL outbreaks, there is limited data on the genetic structure and epidemiology of Leishmania parasites from these regions. This study used molecular methods to characterize Leishmania parasites collected at Garissa County Referral Hospital during the 2019-2022 VL outbreak.

Methods

286 blood samples, collected from patients suspected of having VL at Garissa County Referral Hospital between 2019 and 2022 were used. Leishmania parasites were screened at genus level by a quantitative real-time PCR assay targeting the arginine permease gene AAP3 (AAP3-qRT-PCR). Species identif

SUBMITTER: Omwenga VK 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12875589 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature