Leishmanial infection: analysis of its first steps. A review.
The first steps in leishmaniasis are critical in determining the evolution of the disease. Major advances have recently been done in understanding this crucial moment. Fundamental research in parasite-vector interaction, parasite biology, insect saliva, and vertebrate host response have shed new light and uncovered a most fascinating and complex moment in leishmaniasis. We review here some of these aspects and we try to connect them in a logical framework.
de Almeida
M C
MC
Departamento de Patologia e Núcleo de Medicina Tropical, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Brasília, Brasília, DF, 70910-900, Brasil. marcalmo@unb.br
Vilhena
V
V
Barral
A
A
Barral-Netto
M
M
D000818:Animals; D006790:Host-Parasite Interactions; D006801:Humans; D007111:Immunity, Cellular; D007299:Insect Bites and Stings / Q000276:immunology; D007303:Insect Vectors / Q000502:physiology*; D007891:Leishmania / Q000502:physiology*; D007896:Leishmaniasis / Q000276:immunology / Q000469:parasitology / Q000635:transmission; D051379:Mice; D023421:Models, Animal; D011576:Psychodidae / Q000502:physiology*