Genetic diversity of Trypanosoma evansi in buffalo based on internal transcribed spacer (ITS) regions

Abstract

The nucleotide sequences of 18S rDNA and internal transcribed spacer (ITS) regions were used for studying the relationships of Trypanosoma evansi isolate from a buffalo. The sequences were analyzed and compared to 18S rDNA and the ITS regions of the other Trypanosoma spp. Maximum likelihood phylogenetic trees were constructed using Leishmania major as the outgroup. The tree of 18S rDNA indicated that T. evansi (buffalo B18) isolate was closely related to those of Taiwan and T. brucei stock. The ITS tree showed the genetic diversity among 32 clones of T. evansi (B18) within a single host. This data will be useful for epidemiological and dynamic studies for designing the rational control programs of the disease.