Detection and characterization of Wolbachia infections in Wuchereria bancrofti (Spirurida: Onchocercidae) var. pacifica and Aedes (Stegomyia) polynesiensis (Diptera: Culicidae).
Despite control programs based on mass drug administration (MDA) of microfilaricidal compounds, Bancroftian lymphatic filariasis remains a problem in French Polynesia. For an alternative strategy to MDA, we investigated the potential role of Wolbachia to control filarial transmission. Wolbachia are intracellular alpha-proteobacteria endosymbionts that infect a broad range of insects and nematodes. These bacteria have a suspected role in the pathogenesis of filariasis. They also may be useful in mosquito control through cytoplasmic incompatibility. To detect and characterize these bacteria in the filarial and mosquito-vectors in French Polynesia, a survey was conducted on field-collected mosquitoes and microfilariae from infected people. Samples were analyzed by a polymerase chain reaction and gene sequencing. The results indicate that these bacteria are widespread. Sequence analysis of the wsp and ftsZ genes positioned the Aedes polynesiensis Wolbachia in cluster A and Wuchereria bancrofti var. pacifica Wolbachia in cluster D. The implications for possible improved treatment and vector control are discussed.
Plichart
Catherine
C
Laboratoire de Recherche en Parasitologie Médicale, Institut Louis Malardé, Papeete, Tahiti, French Polynesia.
Legrand
Anne-Marie
AM
D000330:Aedes / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000469:parasitology; D000818:Animals; D001425:Bacterial Outer Membrane Proteins / Q000235:genetics; D001426:Bacterial Proteins / Q000235:genetics; D003598:Cytoskeletal Proteins / Q000235:genetics; D005368:Filariasis / Q000469:parasitology / Q000635:transmission; D008842:Microfilariae / Q000382:microbiology; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D010572:Pest Control, Biological; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D017422:Sequence Analysis, DNA; D013559:Symbiosis; D020577:Wolbachia / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics / Q000254:growth & development / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D014958:Wuchereria bancrofti / Q000382:microbiology*
D001425:Bacterial Outer Membrane Proteins; D001426:Bacterial Proteins; D003598:Cytoskeletal Proteins; C071525:FtsZ protein, Bacteria; C112171:Wsp protein, Wolbachia