Genetic variation at the mitochondrial large-subunit rRNA locus of Pneumocystis isolates from simian immunodeficiency virus-infected rhesus macaques.

ABSTRACT: The nucleotide sequences of a segment of the Pneumocystis mitochondrial large-subunit (mt LSU) rRNA gene from rhesus macaques coinfected with simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) and Pneumocystis carinii were examined. Of 12 isolates examined, 3 were found to be identical and the others showed substantial sequence variation, with up to 13% divergence among variants. We identified two general sequence types that differed at several sites, including a conserved 26-nucleotide insertion. Four monkeys had evidence of two Pneumocystis variants present simultaneously, indicative of a mixed infection. There was a high degree of variance between the rhesus macaque-derived Pneumocystis mt LSU rRNA gene sequence and the cognate sequences in Pneumocystis organisms derived from other hosts. Analysis of

SUBMITTER: Norris KA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC262427 | biostudies-literature | 2003 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature