Endosymbiotic bacteria in worms as targets for a novel chemotherapy in filariasis

Endosymbiotic bacteria living in plasmodia or worm parasites are required f or the homoeostasis of their host and should be excellent targets for chemo therapy of certain parasitic diseases. We show that targeting of Wolbachia spp bacteria in Onchocerca volvulus filariae by doxycycline leads to steril ity of adult worms to an extent not seen with drugs used against onchocerci asis, a reading cause of blindness in African countries.