Multilocus sequence typing system (MLST): Genetic diversity and genetic components to virulence

Abstract

Data from whole genome sequencing of Entamoeba histolytica strains have been used to identify polymorphic loci. Sixteen of these loci were used to genotype 63 E. histolytica strains obtained from an area in Bangladesh where amebiasis is endemic. These markers seemed to segregate autonomously and exhibit extensive haplotype diversity. Despite the genetic heterogeneity, a strong association was observed between two single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the cylicin-2 gene and disease phenotype. This observation suggests that there are genetic differences between virulent and avirulent parasites and that, because of the naturally occurring high background reassortment, multilocus sequence typing in E. histolytica will permit us to link genetic markers with disease outcome in clinical samples.