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Mycobacterium leprae: pathogenic agent in leprosy. Discovery of new species Mycobacterium lepromatosis. Perspectives in research and diagnosis of leprosy
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Abstract
Materials and methods: The genetic analysis of the phylogeny of bacteria, based on the analysis of the 16S rRNA coding regions and other genes (eg, rpoB, rpoT, hsp65, mmaA, fibF-rpsO) appears to be helpful in species discrimination. Twenty genes and pseudogenes (22,818 bp of sequence) proved that in the phylogenetic tree M. leprae and M. lepromatosis are closely related. On the other hand, the differences were great, which gave rise to the distinction between the two species. Detected insertions in both species of mycobacteria in the rRNA and mmaA genes were similar to each other and were found only in the human genome, which confirms the close relationship during M. leprae and M. lepromatosis evolution of genomes in the human species.
Results: The first population-based study analysing the presence of both mycobacteria indicates that M. lepromatosis came to America with human populations migrating from Asia through the Strait of Bering, in contrast to M. leprae, which came to America with the colonists and as a result of the slave trade.
Conclusions: The latest experiments with M. lepromatosis showed that it is a specific agent in DLL, not only in the endemic area in Mexico, but also in different parts of the world. M. lepromatosis was also found in other forms of multibacillary leprosy, or as a dual infection with M. leprae, as well. There are great expectations that genetic methods with the sequencing of the whole genome will lead to a better understanding of some of the mysteries behind leprosy.
Abstract
Materials and methods: The genetic analysis of the phylogeny of bacteria, based on the analysis of the 16S rRNA coding regions and other genes (eg, rpoB, rpoT, hsp65, mmaA, fibF-rpsO) appears to be helpful in species discrimination. Twenty genes and pseudogenes (22,818 bp of sequence) proved that in the phylogenetic tree M. leprae and M. lepromatosis are closely related. On the other hand, the differences were great, which gave rise to the distinction between the two species. Detected insertions in both species of mycobacteria in the rRNA and mmaA genes were similar to each other and were found only in the human genome, which confirms the close relationship during M. leprae and M. lepromatosis evolution of genomes in the human species.
Results: The first population-based study analysing the presence of both mycobacteria indicates that M. lepromatosis came to America with human populations migrating from Asia through the Strait of Bering, in contrast to M. leprae, which came to America with the colonists and as a result of the slave trade.
Conclusions: The latest experiments with M. lepromatosis showed that it is a specific agent in DLL, not only in the endemic area in Mexico, but also in different parts of the world. M. lepromatosis was also found in other forms of multibacillary leprosy, or as a dual infection with M. leprae, as well. There are great expectations that genetic methods with the sequencing of the whole genome will lead to a better understanding of some of the mysteries behind leprosy.
Keywords
Mycobacterium leprae; Mycobacterium lepromatosis; Lucio’s phenomenon; gene sequencing; genetic diversity; phylogeny


Title
Mycobacterium leprae: pathogenic agent in leprosy. Discovery of new species Mycobacterium lepromatosis. Perspectives in research and diagnosis of leprosy
Journal
Issue
Pages
213-218
Published online
2013-02-01
Bibliographic record
International Maritime Health 2012;63(4):213-218.
Keywords
Mycobacterium leprae
Mycobacterium lepromatosis
Lucio’s phenomenon
gene sequencing
genetic diversity
phylogeny
Authors
Maria Kowalska
Artur Kowalik