Intracellular Parasites: Kinetoplastids

Parasites are organisms that are dependent on their hosts to survive. The parasites that reside in human host are mainly non-pathogenic, but some cause severe diseases that require specific medical treatment and care. Indeed, parasitic infections remain a significant cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. In this article, we will describe the biology of the parasites Leishmania and Trypanosoma cruzi, the interactions they establish with their host cells as well as the current treatments and challenges.