Article
Characterization of Endotrypanum (Kinetoplastida: Trypanosomatidae), a Unique Parasite Infecting the Neotropical Tree Sloths (Edentata)
Registro en:
FRANCO, Antonia M. Ramos; GRIMALDI JR., Gabriel. Characterization of Endotrypanum (Kinetoplastida: Trypanosomatidae), a Unique Parasite Infecting the Neotropical Tree Sloths (Edentata). Memórias do Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, v. 94, n. 2, p. 261-268, Mar./Apr. 1999.
0074-0276
10.1590/S0074-02761999000200026
1678-8060
Autor
Franco, Antonia M. Ramos
Grimaldi Jr., Gabriel
Resumen
This article reviews current concepts of the biology of Endotrypanum spp. Data summarized here
on parasite classification and taxonomic divergence found among these haemoflagellates come from
our studies of molecular characterization of Endotrypanum stocks (representing an heterogenous population of reference strains and isolates from the Brazilian Amazon region) and from scientific literature.
Using numerical zymotaxonomy we have demonstrated genetic diversity among these parasites. The
molecular trees obtained revealed that there are, at least, three groups (distinct species?) of
Endotrypanum, which are distributed in Central and South America. In concordance with this classification of the parasites there are further newer molecular data obtained using distinct markers. Moreover, comparative studies (based on the molecular genetics of the organisms) have shown the phylogenetic relationships between some Endotrypanum and related kinetoplastid lineages.