title: Endosymbiotic bacteria in worms as targets for a novel chemotherapy in filariasis.
abstract: Endosymbiotic bacteria living in plasmodia or worm parasites are required for the homoeostasis of their host and should be excellent targets for chemotherapy of certain parasitic diseases. We show that targeting of Wolbachia spp bacteria in Onchocerca volvulus filariae by doxycycline leads to sterility of adult worms to an extent not seen with drugs used against onchocerciasis, a leading cause of blindness in African countries.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hoerauf
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Volkmann
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Hamelmann
authors.forename: O
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Adjei
authors.forename: I B
authors.initials: IB
authors.lastname: Autenrieth
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Fleischer
authors.forename: D W
authors.initials: DW
authors.lastname: Büttner
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004269:DNA, Bacterial / Q000032:analysis; D018509:DNA, Helminth / Q000032:analysis; D004318:Doxycycline / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017181:Onchocerca volvulus / Q000235:genetics / Q000382:microbiology*; D009855:Onchocerciasis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000382:microbiology; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D013559:Symbiosis; D020577:Wolbachia / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D004269:DNA, Bacterial; D018509:DNA, Helminth; D004318:Doxycycline