Wolbachia and filarial nematode diseases in humans

Introduction Filariasis is a leading cause of global disability, affecting approximately 138 million individuals throughout the tropics (1,2). Filarial diseases are chronic infections, each with a range of disease manifestations. The reason for the inclusion of a chapter on filarial nematodes in a book on rickettsial diseases is the discovery that many of these parasites have evolved a symbiotic relationship with Wolbachia bacteria. Recent research has highlighted the role of this symbiosis in the development and fertility of these nematodes. The bacteria have also been shown to contribute to inflammatory activity associated with disease pathogenesis and adverse reactions to antifilarial drugs and most importantly have provided a novel target for the treatment of filariasis with antibiotics.