Molecular diagnosis of Leishmania infantum chagasi in indigenous comunity of Tapirapé from Mato Grosso State

Abstract

Species of the genus Leishmania parasitize mammals in the New World and have life cycles with alternation between vertebrates and invertebrates. Most species develop in hematophagous arthropods, which may belong to various orders and families. Visceral leishmaniasis is an important zoonosis and has wild and domestic canids as important known reservoirs and the genetic diversity of Leishmania (L.) infantum chagasi in Brazil is not yet known. Leishmaniasis is a severe disease with a wide geographical distribution with an incidence of 2 million cases per year and 350 million people in areas at risk of infection. The objective of this project is to evaluate the presence of Leishmania infantum chagasi in an indigenous community of the Tapirapé ethnic group in the state of Mato Grosso through molecular diagnosis based on the L-like cathepsin gene. The molecular diagnosis will be performed on peripheral blood samples from the residents through the Cathepsin L-like gene.