Wolbachia bacteria of filarial nematodes

Parasitol Today. 1999 Nov;15(11):437-42. doi: 10.1016/s0169-4758(99)01533-1.

Abstract

The finding that the intracellular bacteria of filarial nematodes are related to the Wolbachia symbionts of arthropods has generated great interest. Here, Mark Taylor and Achim Hoerauf review recent studies by several groups on the structure, distribution and phylogeny of these endosymbionts, and discuss the potential role for these bacteria in filarial disease and as a target for chemotherapy.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Arthropods / microbiology
  • Brugia malayi / microbiology*
  • Brugia malayi / ultrastructure
  • Female
  • Filariasis / drug therapy
  • Filariasis / immunology
  • Filariasis / microbiology
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • Male
  • Microscopy, Electron
  • Onchocerca volvulus / microbiology*
  • Onchocerca volvulus / ultrastructure
  • Phylogeny
  • Symbiosis / genetics
  • Wolbachia / growth & development*
  • Wuchereria bancrofti / microbiology*
  • Wuchereria bancrofti / ultrastructure