Hello! There are a few options for controls when working with Leishmania RNA virus PCR. Here are some suggestions:
Positive control: Use a known positive sample (i.e., one that has been previously confirmed to contain the virus) as a positive control in each PCR run. This can help you ensure that your PCR reaction is working properly and can help you troubleshoot any issues that may arise.
Internal control: Add an internal control to your PCR reaction. This can be a synthetic RNA that is spiked into your RNA sample before reverse transcription. The internal control should be amplified by the same primers used to amplify your target sequence, and can help you control for variations in reverse transcription efficiency and PCR amplification.
Negative control: Include a negative control in each PCR run to rule out contamination. This can be a reaction with no template, or a reaction with RNA from a sample that you know does not contain the virus.
I hope these suggestions are helpful! Let me know if you have any further questions.