Genomic diversity of the human pathogen Paracoccidioides across the South American continent

Marcus de Melo Teixeira, Maria Emilia Cattana, Daniel R. Matute, José F. Muñoz, Alicia Arechavala, Kristin Isbell, Rafael Schipper, Gabriela Santiso, Fernanda Tracogna, María de los Ángeles Sosa, Norma Cech, Primavera Alvarado, Laura Barreto, Yone Chacón, Juana Ortellado, Cleoni Mendes de Lima, Marilene Rodrigues Chang, Gustavo Niño-Vega, Maria Aparecida Shikanai Yasuda, Maria Sueli Soares FelipeRicardo Negroni, Christina A. Cuomo, Bridget Barker, Gustavo Giusiano

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

34 Scopus citations

Abstract

Paracoccidioidomycosis (PCM) is a life-threatening systemic mycosis widely reported in the Gran Chaco ecosystem. The disease is caused by different species from the genus Paracoccidioides, which are all endemic to South and Central America. Here, we sequenced and analyzed 31 isolates of Paracoccidioides across South America, with particular focus on isolates from Argentina and Paraguay. The de novo sequenced isolates were compared with publicly available genomes. Phylogenetics and population genomics revealed that PCM in Argentina and Paraguay is caused by three distinct Paracoccidioides genotypes, P. brasiliensis (S1a and S1b) and P. restrepiensis (PS3). P. brasiliensis S1a isolates from Argentina are frequently associated with chronic forms of the disease. Our results suggest the existence of extensive molecular polymorphism among Paracoccidioides species, and provide a framework to begin to dissect the connection between genotypic differences in the pathogen and the clinical outcomes of the disease.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Article number103395
JournalFungal Genetics and Biology
Volume140
DOIs
StatePublished - Jul 2020

Keywords

  • Gran Chaco
  • Paracoccidioides
  • Phylogenomics
  • Population genetics

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Microbiology
  • Genetics

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