Exogenous nucleosides are required for the morphogenesis of the human filarial parasite Brugia malayi.
The nematode parasites Wuchereria bancrofti, Brugia malayi, and B. timori cause a human disease known as lymphatic filariasis, which afflicts approximately 120 million people worldwide. The parasites enter the human host from the mosquito as L3 or infective larvae and subsequently differentiate through 2 molts. In this communication, I report that B. malayi and B. pahangi depend on an exogenous source of at least 1 purine and 1 pyrimidine nucleoside to complete the L3 to L4 molt. The requirement for exogenous nucleosides opens the door for possible chemotherapeutic intervention.
Rajan
T V
TV
Department of Pathology, University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington, Connecticut, USA. rajan@neuron.uchc.edu
D000818:Animals; D017178:Brugia malayi / Q000187:drug effects / Q000254:growth & development*; D003470:Culture Media; D007814:Larva / Q000187:drug effects / Q000254:growth & development; D018978:Molting / Q000187:drug effects; D011684:Purine Nucleosides / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011741:Pyrimidine Nucleosides / Q000494:pharmacology*
D003470:Culture Media; D011684:Purine Nucleosides; D011741:Pyrimidine Nucleosides