Antibiotics which Target the Wolbachia Endosymbionts of Filarial Parasites: A New Strategy for Control of Filariasis and Amelioration of Pathology

Abstract: Wolbachia endosymbionts of filariae are targets for the development of new antifilarial chemotherapy. Doxycycline to deplete Wolbachia from the worm has demonstrated the feasibility of this strategy and has provided a new chemotherapeutic tool. Recent research shows that depleting Wolbachia will also lessen pathology, and lessen adverse reactions to traditional antifilarial drugs