@article{fdi:010060488,
  title = {{G}enetic structure and evolution of the {L}eishmania genus in {A}frica and {E}urasia : what does {MLSA} tell us},
  author = {{E}l {B}aidouri, {F}. and {D}iancourt, {L}. and {B}erry, {V}. and {C}hevenet, {F}ran{\c{c}}ois and {P}ratlong, {F}. and {M}arty, {P}. and {R}avel, {C}.},
  editor = {},
  language = {{ENG}},
  abstract = {{L}eishmaniasis is a complex parasitic disease from a taxonomic, clinical and epidemiological point of view. {T}he role of genetic exchanges has been questioned for over twenty years and their recent experimental demonstration along with the identification of interspecific hybrids in natura has revived this debate. {A}fter arguing that genetic exchanges were exceptional and did not contribute to {L}eishmania evolution, it is currently proposed that interspecific exchanges could be a major driving force for rapid adaptation to new reservoirs and vectors, expansion into new parasitic cycles and adaptation to new life conditions. {T}o assess the existence of gene flows between species during evolution we used {MLSA}-based ({M}ulti{L}ocus {S}equence {A}nalysis) approach to analyze 222 {L}eishmania strains from {A}frica and {E}urasia to accurately represent the genetic diversity of this genus. {W}e observed a remarkable congruence of the phylogenetic signal and identified seven genetic clusters that include mainly independent lineages which are accumulating divergences without any sign of recent interspecific recombination. {F}rom a taxonomic point of view, the strong genetic structuration of the different species does not question the current classification, except for species that cause visceral forms of leishmaniasis ({L}. donovani, {L}. infantum and {L}. archibaldi). {A}lthough these taxa cause specific clinical forms of the disease and are maintained through different parasitic cycles, they are not clearly distinct and form a continuum, in line with the concept of species complex already suggested for this group thirty years ago. {T}hese results should have practical consequences concerning the molecular identification of parasites and the subsequent therapeutic management of the disease.},
  keywords = {{AFRIQUE} ; {EURASIE}},
  booktitle = {},
  journal = {{P}los {N}eglected {T}ropical {D}iseases},
  volume = {7},
  numero = {6},
  pages = {e2255},
  ISSN = {1935-2735},
  year = {2013},
  DOI = {10.1371/journal.pntd.0002255},
  URL = {https://www.documentation.ird.fr/hor/fdi:010060488},
}