Leishmania (Leishmania) martiniquensis n. sp. (Kinetoplastida: Trypanosomatidae), description of the parasite responsible for cutaneous leishmaniasis in Martinique Island (French West Indies)

• Published in: Parasite (Paris) Vol. 21; p. 12
• Main Authors: Desbois, Nicole, Pratlong, Francine, Quist, Danièle, Dedet, Jean-Pierre
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: France EDP Sciences 2014
• Subjects: Biodiversity; Cutaneous leishmaniasis; DNA Polymerase I - genetics; Endemic Diseases; Fossils; French West Indies; Humans; Isoenzymes - genetics; Leishmania; Leishmania - classification; Leishmania - enzymology; Leishmania - genetics; Leishmania - isolation & purification; Leishmania - physiology; Leishmania martiniquensis n. sp; Leishmaniasis, Cutaneous - epidemiology; Leishmaniasis, Cutaneous - parasitology; Life Sciences; Martinique - epidemiology; Martinique Island; Microbiology and Parasitology; Molecular chains; Parasites; Parasitic diseases; Parasitology; Pathogenicity; Pathogens; Phylogeny; Protozoan Proteins - genetics; Ribotyping; RNA Polymerase II - genetics; RNA, Protozoan - genetics; RNA, Ribosomal, 18S - genetics; Short Note; Systematics, Phylogenetics and taxonomy; Terminology as Topic; Vector-borne diseases; Martinique; West Indies; Cutaneous leishmaniasis; Martinique Island; French West Indies; Leishmania martiniquensis n. sp
• ISSN: 1776-1042; 1252-607X; 1776-1042
• DOI: 10.1051/parasite/2014011

The parasite responsible for autochthonous cutaneous leishmaniasis in Martinique island (French West Indies) was first isolated in 1995; its taxonomical position was established only in 2002, but it remained unnamed. In the present paper, the authors name this parasite Leishmania (Leishmania) martiniquensis Desbois, Pratlong & Dedet n. sp. and describe the type strain of this taxon, including its biological characteristics, biochemical and molecular identification, and pathogenicity. This parasite, clearly distinct from all other Euleishmania, and placed at the base of the Leishmania phylogenetic tree, is included in the subgenus Leishmania. Le parasite responsable de la leishmaniose cutanée autochtone de Martinique (Antilles françaises) fut isolé pour la première fois en 1995, mais sa position taxonomique n’a été décrite qu’en 2002, bien qu’il ne soit pas nommé à cette époque. L’objet de cet article est de nommer ce parasite Leishmania (Leishmania) matiniquensis Desbois, Pratlong & Dedet n. sp. et de décrire les caractères biologiques, l’identification biochimique et moléculaire et le pouvoir pathogène de la souche type. Ce parasite, distinct de toutes les autres Euleishmania et placé à la base de l’arbre phylogénétique des Leishmania, est rangé dans le sous-genre Leishmania.