Neutrophils are the most crucial cells for early defence against infections. When properly activated
they can kill extracellular pathogens but also also obligate intracellular pathogens such as Leishmania and
Anaplasma. However, once the phagocytotic killing has been evaded, neutrophils can serve as host cells for
obligate intracellular pathogens. Parasitized neutrophils were shown to function as a ‘Trojan horse’, to silently
transfer Leishmania to macrophages as well as Anaplasma to other neutrophils. Here, we discuss the Trojan horse
function of neutrophils for Leishmania and Anaplasma.
