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Biological Sciences

Genetic diversity and comparative genomics across Leishmania (Viannia) species

Laura Natalia Gonzalez-Garcia¹, Maria Paula Rodriguez¹, Marcela Parra-Muñoz²

¹Systems and Computing Engineering Department, Universidad de los Andes, Bogotá, Colombia.

Communications Biology|June 14, 2025

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Summary

Genomic analysis of Leishmania (Viannia) parasites reveals significant diversity and rapid adaptation, challenging current species classifications and offering insights into virulence evolution.

Area of Science:

Genomics
Parasitology
Molecular Biology

Background:

Leishmaniasis is a global public health concern.
Parasite diversity and complex life cycles contribute to varied disease presentations.

Purpose of the Study:

To analyze genomic data from Leishmania (Viannia) samples.
To provide chromosome-level genome assemblies for diverse isolates.
To investigate species diversification, transmission dynamics, and virulence evolution.

Main Methods:

Genomic data analysis of 205 Leishmania (Viannia) samples.
Sequencing of 65 clinical isolates.
Chromosome-level genome assembly for 10 isolates.
Phylogenomic and pangenomic analyses.

Main Results:

Genomic diversity suggests rapid adaptation to different ecosystems.
Phylogenomic analysis challenges current species delimitation.
Pangenomic analysis reveals consistent copy number variation in gene families.
Larger and more diverse amastin gene families were identified compared to previous studies.

Conclusions:

Genomic insights into Leishmania spp. biology, including species diversification and virulence.
New hypotheses on species delimitation and evolutionary dynamics.
Provides valuable genomic resources for future research on Leishmaniasis.

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Genetic Diversity And Comparative Genomics Across Leishmania (viannia) Species

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Genetic diversity and comparative genomics across Leishmania (Viannia) species | JoVE Visualize