Detection of Leishmania RNA Virus 1 in Leishmania parasites in Serra do Baturité – Ceará (Brazil)

Fundamentals: The human protozoan parasite Leishmania can cause species-related distinct forms of Leishmaniasis: cutaneous, mucocutaneous, or fatal generalized visceral infection. Recent studies have reported that the presence of “Leishmania RNA virus 1” infecting Leishmania is an important factor involved with the severity of mucocutaneous in experimental animal models. By using molecular analysis in the present study, we aimed to evaluate the occurrence of LRV1 in Leishmania species from potential sand fly vectors. Methods: Sandfly sampling was carried out from May 2022 to December 2022 in different areas of Serra do Baturité (Ceará). The sampled sand flies were subjected to DNA and RNA extractions followed by molecular analysis using previously described protocols. Leishmania detection was performed using PCR primers (hsp70). The presence of LVR1 was tested by RT-PCR, using primers complementary to the virus ORF1. Results and Research Limitations: A total of 4,243 sandflies were collected from different areas. Two pools were positive for the presence of Leishmania DNA, and one pool was positive for the presence of Leishmaniavirus. Conclusion and Perspective: Our results demonstrate the presence of LRV1 infecting Leishmania in sandflies from Serra do Baturité - Ceará. The impact of LRV1 on the host's susceptibility to infection by Leishmania (V.) braziliensis parasites in patients could be directly related to the difference in human immunogenetic diversity and the interference RNA machinery.