Leishmania parasite growth and survival

Leishmania parasites infecting macrophages are considered a good model to study successful evolutionary mechanisms of evasion of the macrophage mediated immune response. To evade killing by the host, Leishmania parasites manipulate the host's cellular signaling mechanisms, to prevent the production of microbicidal molecules and stimulating the activation of protective signaling pathways or to interfere with effective antigen presentation. In most natural infections or after the resolution of the disease, a few Leishmania parasites remain in the host, perhaps as a product of a balance between forces favouring parasite persistence and those favouring destruction.

Summary from Reactome (R-HSA-9664433), read 2026-09-23.