title: Evidence for Wolbachia symbiosis in microfilariae of Wuchereria bancrofti from West Bengal, India.
abstract: Wolbachia are symbiotic endobacteria that infect the majority of filarial nematodes, including Wuchereria bancrofti, Brugia malayi and Onchocerca volvulus. Recent studies have suggested that Wolbachia are necessary for the reproduction and survival of filarial 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 microfilariae collected from two districts (Bankura and Birbhum) of West Bengal, India.
authors.affiliation: Parasitology Laboratory, Department of Zoology, Visva-Bharati University, Santiniketan 731 235, India.
authors.forename: Prajna
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Gayen
authors.forename: Sudipta
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Maitra
authors.forename: Sutapa
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Datta
authors.forename: Santi P Sinha
authors.initials: SP
authors.lastname: Babu
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004605:Elephantiasis, Filarial / Q000469:parasitology*; D005260:Female; D005843:Geography; D006801:Humans; D007194:India; D008297:Male; D046529:Microscopy, Electron, Transmission / Q000379:methods; D008875:Middle Aged; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods; D012336:RNA, Ribosomal, 16S / Q000378:metabolism; D013559:Symbiosis; D020577:Wolbachia / Q000502:physiology*; D014958:Wuchereria bancrofti / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D012336:RNA, Ribosomal, 16S