title: Where are we with Wolbachia and doxycycline: an in-depth review of the current state of our knowledge.
abstract: Dirofilaria immitis, the cause of canine and feline heartworm disease, was the first filarial nematode described to harbour the bacterial endosymbiont Wolbachia. This ground-breaking discovery has led to intense research aimed at unravelling the nature of the endosymbiotic relationship; genomic studies have revealed how the bacteria may interact with the parasite and help explain why each is so dependent on the other. Analysis of the immune response to these bacteria may elucidate the mechanisms through which filarial parasites are able to survive for long periods of time in otherwise immune-competent hosts. Finally, studies aimed at the removal of the bacteria using specific antibiotic treatment in infected hosts is leading to the development of novel approaches for interrupting the transmission cycle and for the treatment and control of heartworm disease.
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Science, University of Parma, via del Taglio 10, 43126 Parma, Italy. Electronic address: kramerlh@unipr.it.
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Kramer
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Science and Public Health, University of Milan, via Celoria 10, 20133 Milano, Italy.
authors.forename: Claudio
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Genchi
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000969:Antinematodal Agents / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004183:Dirofilaria immitis / Q000187:drug effects / Q000382:microbiology*; D004184:Dirofilariasis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000635:transmission; D004318:Doxycycline / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004357:Drug Synergism; D006801:Humans; D007559:Ivermectin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D020577:Wolbachia / Q000276:immunology / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D000969:Antinematodal Agents; D007559:Ivermectin; D004318:Doxycycline
keywords: Dirofilaria immitis; Doxycycline; Heartworm; Wolbachia