A study recently published in the journal Nature Communications has shown a remarkable defense mechanism used by the Leishmania parasite. This parasite is a major cause of neglected tropical diseases and is spread by sandflies. The research team, led by Dr. Steven Lakin of the University of Edinburgh, has found that when the parasite is under attack from the host’s immune system, it can create a backup copy of itself to ensure its survival. This process, known as “replicative transposition,” allows the parasite to quickly create a copy of itself and transfer it to a new host. The findings of this study may provide new insights into the development of treatments for Leishmania and similar parasites.

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source: Phys.org