A review of the complexity of biology of lymphatic filarial parasites

Abstract

There are about five more common, including Wuchereria bancrofti and Brugia malayi, and four less common filarial parasites infecting human. Genetic analysis of W. bancrofti populations in India showed that two strains of the species are prevalent in the country. The adult filarial parasites are tissue specific in the human host and their embryonic stage, called microfilariae (mf), are found in the blood or skin of the host, depending upon the species of the parasite. Three genetically determined physiological races exist in W. bancrofti and B. malayi, based on the microfilarial periodicity. They are the nocturnally periodic, nocturnally subperiodic and diurnally subperiodic forms. The susceptibility of a mosquito species to filarial infection depends on various factors, which could be genetic, physiological or physical. Survival analysis of Culex quinquefasciatus infected with W. bancrofti showed that the parasite load in the mosquito is a risk factor of vector survival. The extrinsic life cycle of the parasite is initiated when the mf are ingested by a mosquito vector during feeding on the host blood. On maturity, most of the infective L3 stage larvae migrate to the head and proboscis of the mosquito to get transmitted to the mammalian host during subsequent feeding. They develop to the adult L5 stage and the period of development and the longevity of the parasites varies according to the species of the nematode and the mammalian host. The rate of production of mf by the adult female was found to be stable at least for a period of five years. The life span of the mf has some influence on the dynamics of transmission of filariasis. Recent studies show that the endosymbiont, Wolbachia, plays an important role in the survival of filarial parasites. The possibility of in vitro and in vivo culture of filarial parasites is also reviewed.

Predicted binding of certain antifilarial compounds with glutathione-S-transferase of human Filariids

“…Lymphatic filariasis (LF) is a mosquito-borne tropical disease caused by the nematode parasites Wuchereria bancrofti, Brugia malayi and Brugia.timori live in human lymph system [3]. Three physiological races exist in W.bancroofii and B.malayi , depending on the microfilarial periodicity [4]. They are the nocturnally periodic, nocturnally subperiodic and diurnally subperiodic forms.…”

Filarial infection influences mosquito behaviour and fecundity

“…Transmission of filarial worms is indirect, with parasites developing within a mosquito vector before being passed to definitive vertebrate hosts. Larval development occurs within the short lived mosquito and once transmitted to a vertebrate host, parasites carry out their longer life stages and reproduction5. Several different mosquito species from the Culex, Anopheles, Aedes and Mansonia genera can transmit LF4 but susceptibility to parasite infection varies between species678.…”

Original article. Biting behavior of Malaysian mosquitoes, Aedes albopictus Skuse, Armigeres kesseli Ramalingam, Culex quinquefasciatus Say, and Culex vishnui Theobald obtained from urban residential areas in Kuala Lumpur

“…Armigeres mosquitoes have been reported to be vectors of lymphatic filariasis and animal filariasis [10,11]. The two common Armigeres species that are commonly found in Malaysia are Armigeres kesseli and Armigeres subalbatus [12].…”