Wolbachia endosymbionts and human disease control

Wolbachia endosymbionts induce neutrophil extracellular trap formation in human onchocerciasis

The endosymbiotic bacteria, Wolbachia, induce neutrophilic responses to the human helminth pathogen Onchocerca volvulus. The formation of Neutrophil Extracellular Traps (NETs), has been implicated in anti-microbial defence, but has not been identified in human helminth infection. Here, we demonstrate NETs formation in human onchocerciasis. Extracellular NETs and neutrophils were visualised arou...

Recombination in wolbachia endosymbionts of filarial nematodes?

Wolbachia strains for disease control: ecological and evolutionary considerations

Wolbachia are endosymbionts found in many insects with the potential to suppress vectorborne diseases, particularly through interfering with pathogen transmission. Wolbachia strains are highly variable in their effects on hosts, raising the issue of which attributes should be selected to ensure that the best strains are developed for disease control. This depends on their ability to suppress vi...

Wolbachia-based strategies to control insect pests and disease vectors

* Author for correspondence: Mailing address: S-225 Ag. Science Center North Lexington, KY 40546 USA. Tel: (859)-257-5117; Fax: (859)-323-1120. Email: [email protected] Abstract. Wolbachia are a group of obligate intracellular maternally inherited bacteria that have been found in several arthropod groups including spiders, terrestrial crustaceans, and insects, in addition to filarial nematodes. I...

Wolbachia and the biological control of mosquito-borne disease.

Mosquito-borne diseases such as malaria, dengue fever and filariasis cause an enormous health burden to people living in tropical and subtropical regions of the world. Despite years of intense effort to control them, many of these diseases are increasing in prevalence, geographical distribution and severity, and options to control them are limited. The transinfection of mosquitos with the mater...