Emerging Infectious Diseases (Jul 2025)

Genomic Characterization of Leishmania tropica in Cutaneous Leishmaniasis, Somali Region, Ethiopia, 2023

  • Adugna Abera,
  • Pieter Monsieurs,
  • Myrthe Pareyn,
  • Dereje Beyene,
  • Geremew Tasew,
  • Allison Aroni-Soto,
  • Mahlet Belachew,
  • Desalegn Geleta,
  • Bethlehem Adnew,
  • Bokretsion Gidey,
  • Henok Tadesse,
  • Atsbeha Gebreegziabxier,
  • Rajiha Abubeker,
  • Abraham Ali,
  • Ketema Tafess,
  • Tobias F. Rinke de Wit,
  • Johan van Griensven,
  • Jean-Claude Dujardin,
  • Dawit Wolday,
  • Malgorzata Anna Domagalska

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3201/eid3107.241607
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 31, no. 7
pp. 1483 – 1486

Abstract

Read online

We sequenced Leishmania tropica genomes from 8 human skin samples collected in a newly emerging focus of cutaneous leishmaniasis in the Somali region of Ethiopia. We found a variant with unique genomic signatures of drug resistance. Public health officials should use genomic surveillance to slow expansion of L. tropica.

Keywords