Background: Leishmania parasites carry a double-stranded RNA virus (Leishmania RNA virus - LRV) that has been divided in LRV1 and LRV2.
Objectives: Leishmania (Viannia) braziliensis clinical isolates were assessed in order to determine LRV presence.
Methods: Two-round polymerase chain reaction (PCR and nested PCR) was performed to detect LRV1 or LRV2 in L. (V.) braziliensis clinical isolates (n = 12).
Findings: LRV1 was detected in three clinical isolates which was phylogenetically related to other sequences reported from other American tegumentary leishmaniasis (ATL) endemic areas of Brazil. Patients infected with L. (V.) braziliensis LRV-negative showed only cutaneous lesions while LRV-positive reported different manifestations.
Main conclusion: Data presented here show for the first time that LRV1 is circulating in L. (V.) braziliensis clinical isolates from Rio de Janeiro State in Brazil.