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.
Where are we with Wolbachia and doxycycline: An in-depth review of the current state of our knowledge / Kramer, Laura Helen; Genchi, C.. - In: VETERINARY PARASITOLOGY. - ISSN 0304-4017. - 206:1-2(2014), pp. 1-4. [10.1016/j.vetpar.2014.03.028]
Where are we with Wolbachia and doxycycline: An in-depth review of the current state of our knowledge.
KRAMER, Laura Helen;
2014-01-01
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.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
