RESUMO
In view of the recent discovery of rickettsial endosymbionts, Wolbachia in lymphatic filarial parasites, Wuchereria bancrofti and Brugia malayi and subsequently of their vital role in the survival and development of the latter, antibiotics such as tetracycline are being suggested for the treatment of lymphatic filariasis, by way of eliminating the endosymbiont. But, it is essential to assess their presence in parasites from areas endemic for lymphatic filariasis before such a new control tool is employed. In the present communication, we report the detection of Wolbachia endosymbionts in microfilariae of W. bancrofti parasites collected from geographically distant locations of India, such as Pondicherry (Union Territory), Calicut (Kerala), Jagadalpur (Madhya Pradesh), Thirukoilur (TamilNadu), Chinnanergunam (TamilNadu), Rajahmundry (Andhra Pradesh), and Varanasi (Uttar Pradesh), using Wolbachia specific 16S rDNA polymerase chain reaction.
Assuntos
Microfilárias/microbiologia , Wolbachia/isolamento & purificação , Wuchereria bancrofti/microbiologia , Animais , DNA Bacteriano/análise , DNA Ribossômico/análise , Índia , Reação em Cadeia da PolimeraseRESUMO
Ultrastructural observations on the structure and distribution of endosymbiotic bacteria within the tissues of Wuchereria bancrofti are described. In female worms the organisms were observed in the lateral cords of the hypodermis, oocytes, developing eggs and in intrauterine microfilariae. Organisms were also detected in blood microfilariae and in the intestine of third-stage larvae. Bacteria were not observed in male worms.