KILLER DISEASES | How Leishmaniasis Affects the Body

When the vector, a tiny bloodsucking sandfly, bites an infected person, the fly ingests the leishmania parasites along with the blood of the victim. Once inside the body, it is the job of the macrophages (immune cells) to destroy the pathogens. If the immune system fails to fight the infection, the victim will fall seriously ill, very quickly. The first signs of the disease are fever, anaemia, and an enlarged spleen and liver. Watch all of the Killer Diseases - Leishmaniasis videos: History:    • KILLER DISEASES | A History of Leishmaniasis   Geography:    • KILLER DISEASES | Leishmaniasis Around the...   Body:    • KILLER DISEASES | How Leishmaniasis Affect...   Treatment:    • KILLER DISEASES | Leishmaniasis Treatment   Future:    • KILLER DISEASES | Leishmaniasis in the Future   Learn more about DNDi's work to develop better treatments for leishmaniasis: https://www.dndi.org/diseases-project... This video is part of the "Killer Diseases" series produced by MSF France, Allodocteurs, Réseau Canopé, Fondation Mérieux, universcience, Inserm, Institut Pasteur, and DNDi. Supported by les Investissements d’avenir.