Full nucleotide sequencing of ribosomal DNA internal transcribed spacer of Leishmania species causing cutaneous leishmaniasis in Brazil and its potential for species typing

•The full nucleotide sequences of the ribosomal ITS1, 5.8 S and ITS2 of Leishmania (Viannia) lainsoni, L. (V.) lindenbergi L. (V.) naiffi, L. (V.) shawi and L. (V.) utingensis were determined for the first time.•Analysis of ITS sequence of reference strains revealed a low, but significant level of divergence among species of the Viannia subgenus.•The nucleotide sequence of this genomic region may be an alternative method for typing of Leishmania species responsible for cutaneous leishmaniasis in Brazil.•The availability of these sequences may be useful for establishing intra- and interspecies phylogenetic relationships of Leishmania species.