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Frequency of the Mating-Type (MAT1) in Histoplasma capsulatum Isolates from Buenos Aires, Argentina

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Abstract

Sex is genetically determined in Histoplasma capsulatum, governed by a sex-specific region in the genome called the mating-type locus (MAT1). We investigate the distribution of isolates of two H. capsulatum mating types in the clades circulating in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Forty-nine H. capsulatum isolates were obtained from the culture collection of the Mycology Center. The MAT1 locus was identified by PCR from the yeast suspension. The analysis of forty-eight isolates from clinical samples exhibited a ratio of 1.7 (MAT1-1:MAT1-2) and the only isolate from soil was MAT1-1. Forty-five H. capsulatum isolates belonged to the LAm B clade (H. capsulatum from Latin American group B clade) and showed a ratio of 1.8 (MAT1-1:MAT1-2). These results suggest an association between the mating types in isolates belonging to the LAm B clade. It remains to be defined whether a greater virulence should be attributed to the differences between the strains of the opposite mating type of the LAm B clade.

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Acknowledgements

This research was supported by the School of Medicine, University of Buenos Aires, Grant Number UBACyT 20020150100158BA.

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  1. Centro de Micología, Departamento de Microbiología, Parasitología e Inmunología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Paraguay 2150, Piso 11, Buenos Aires, Argentina

    Gabriela Löpez Daneri & Maria Teresa Mujica

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  1. Gabriela Löpez Daneri
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  2. Maria Teresa Mujica
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Correspondence to Maria Teresa Mujica.

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Löpez Daneri, G., Mujica, M.T. Frequency of the Mating-Type (MAT1) in Histoplasma capsulatum Isolates from Buenos Aires, Argentina. Mycopathologia 185, 169–174 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11046-019-00402-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11046-019-00402-2

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  1. Latest

    Frequency of the Mating-Type (MAT1) in Histoplasma capsulatum Isolates from Buenos Aires, Argentina
    • Gabriela Löpez Daneri
    • Maria Teresa Mujica
    Published:
    01 February 2020
    Received:
    14 June 2019
    Accepted:
    21 October 2019

    DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11046-019-00402-2

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