Efficacy of tetracycline and enrofloxacin against wolbachia spp. in microfilaria of Brugia Pahangi

Abstract

Brugia pahangi is a major causative agent of animal lymphatic filariasis, one of the neclected tropical disease. Recent studies have also indicated that B. pahangi can cause clinical infection in human, with clinical appearances which are consistent with human lymphatic filariasis. Nowadays, the recognition of Wolbachia as new alternative drug choice for treatment and control of lymphatic filariasis is the most important in anti-filarial chemotherapy. Since, Wolbachia play important roles, including the development, viability, fertility and fecundity of filarial parasites. Depletion of Wolbachia results in sterilization, stunting and death of filarial worms. In this study, we investigated the effects of tetracycline and enrofloxacin on B. pahangi microfilarial motility and on Wolbachia depletion. Results showed that motility score of microfilaria treated with tetracycline were markedly reduced and high concentrations of enrofloxacin also can reduced worm motility. Quantitative real-time PCR indicated that the change of Wolbachia population in each treatment groups were decreased gradually. MEC of tetracycline was 128 and 32 μg/ml at 24 and 48 hours, respectively, while MEC of enrofloxacin was 512 μg/ml at 24 hours. Thus, tetracyclines should be considered as a drug of choice for treatment of animal lymphatic filariasis and suggest new antibiotic, enrofloxacin, as a substitute.