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Evidence for Wolbachia symbiosis in microfilariae of Wuchereria bancrofti from West Bengal, India

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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.

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Abbreviations

dNTP:

deoxyribonucleotide triphosphate

EDTA:

ethylene diamine tetra acetate

mf:

microfilaria

MgCl2 :

magnesium chloride

NaCl:

sodium chloride

(NH4)2SO4 :

ammonium sulphate

PCR:

polymerase chain reaction

rRNA:

ribosomal ribonucleic acid

TEN:

tris-ethylene diamine tetra acetate-sodium chloride

WSP:

Wolbachia surface protein

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Parasitology Laboratory, Visva-Bharati University, Santiniketan, 731 235, India

    Prajna Gayen, Sutapa Datta & Santi P. Sinha Babu

  2. Physiology and Biochemistry Laboratory, Department of Zoology, Visva-Bharati University, Santiniketan, 731 235, India

    Sudipta Maitra

Authors
  1. Prajna Gayen
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  2. Sudipta Maitra
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  3. Sutapa Datta
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  4. Santi P. Sinha Babu
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Santi P. Sinha Babu.

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These two authors have contributed equally to this paper

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Gayen, P., Maitra, S., Datta, S. et al. Evidence for Wolbachia symbiosis in microfilariae of Wuchereria bancrofti from West Bengal, India. J Biosci 35, 73–77 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12038-010-0009-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12038-010-0009-3

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