Leishmania infantum parasite genotype is a major factor in visceral leishmaniasis mortality in Brazil

Visceral leishmaniasis is a potentially fatal disease, primarily caused by Leishmania infantum in Brazil. Disease outcomes have been associated with patient genotype, nutrition, age, co-morbidities and co-infections. However, the role of parasite genetic variation in disease severity has not been thoroughly studied. In this study, we examine the effect of parasite genotype on VL disease outcomes in Brazil.