DESCRIPTION, BIOLOGY, AND MEDICAL SIGNIFICANCE OF LEISHMANIA (MUNDINIA) CHANCEI N. SP. (KINETOPLASTEA: TRYPANOSOMATIDAE) FROM GHANA AND LEISHMANIA (MUNDINIA) PROCAVIENSIS N. SP. (KINETOPLASTEA: TRYPANOSOMATIDAE) FROM NAMIBIA

Abstract

Genetic and phylogenetic analysis was performed on 2 isolates of Leishmania using DNA sequence data from the RNA polymerase II large subunit gene and the ribosomal protein L23a intergenic sequence. This showed the isolates to represent 2 new species within the subgenus Leishmania (Mundinia). The addition of Leishmania (Mundinia) chancei and Leishmania (Mundinia) procaviensis creates a total of 6 named species to date within this recently described subgenus of parasitic protozoa, containing both human pathogens and nonpathogens. Their widespread geographical distribution, basal phylogenetic position within the genus Leishmania, and probable non-sand fly vectors make these L. (Mundinia) species of significant medical and biological interest.

Keywords: Leishmania (Mundinia) chancei n. sp.; Leishmania (Mundinia) procaviensis n. sp.; Ghana; Kinetoplastea; Namibia; Trypanosomatidae.