# Hybrid reference genome assembly for the archetypal Leishmania (Viannia) guyanensis bearing the dsRNA totivirus LRV1

## TL;DR

This paper presents a detailed genome assembly for a Leishmania guyanensis line that could help understand how the parasite causes leishmaniasis.

## Contribution

The novel contribution is a high-quality hybrid genome assembly for a Leishmania line expressing luciferase and carrying the LRV1 totivirus.

## Key findings

- A high-quality hybrid genome assembly was created for Leishmania (Viannia) guyanensis line M4147.
- The genome includes a firefly luciferase reporter gene and the totivirus LRV1, linked to parasite hypervirulence.
- This reference genome will aid in studying the infectivity and pathogenesis of leishmaniasis.

## Abstract

We report a high-quality hybrid genome assembly and annotation for a Leishmania (Viannia) guyanensis line (M4147) expressing a firefly luciferase reporter gene and bearing the totivirus LRV1 strongly implicated in parasite hypervirulence. This reference genome should facilitate the study of infectivity and pathogenesis of cutaneous and severe leishmaniasis.