We detected Leishmania RNA virus 1 (LRV1) in 11 isolates of Leishmania (Viannia) panamensis collected during 2014-2019 from patients from different geographic areas in Panama. The distribution suggested a spread of LRV1 in L. (V.) panamensis parasites. We found no association between LRV1 and an increase in clinical pathology.
Keywords: LRV1; Leishmania; Leishmania (Viannia) panamensis; Leishmania RNA virus 1; Leishmaniavirus; Panama; cutaneous leishmaniasis; mucocutaneous leishmaniasis; parasites; viruses.