Evidence for Wolbachia symbiosis in microfi lariae of Wuchereria bancrofti from West Bengal, India.

ABSTRACT

Wolbachia are symbiotic endobacteria that infect the majority of fi larial nematodes, including Wuchereria bancrofti, Brugia malayi and Onchocerca volvulus. Recent studies have suggested that Wolbachia are necessary for the reproduction and survival of fi larial nematodes and have highlighted the use of antibiotic therapy such as tetracycline/ doxycycline as a novel method of treatment for infections caused by these organisms. Before such therapy is conceived and implemented on a large scale, it is necessary to assess the prevalence of the endosymbiont in W. bancrofti from different geographical locations. We present data from molecular and electron microscopic studies to provide evidence for Wolbachia symbiosis in W. bancrofti microfi lariae collected from two districts (Bankura and Birbhum) of West Bengal, India.