Wolbachia of arthropods and filarial nematodes: biology and applications

Abstract

Wolbachia is a group of obligatory intracellular gram-negative bacteria. This bacterium is responsible for manipulation of host reproduction in many arthropod species and involved in embryonic and larval development, adult female fertility, and survival in filarial nematode. The applied biology of Wolbachia and modification of pest and vector species using Wolbachia have been studied in order to suppress or modify natural populations. In addition, Wolbachia has been used as a novel chemotherapeutic target for filariasis control program. This article reviews the biology of Wolbachia in arthropods and filarial nematodes, including recent advance and future directions of using Wolbachia as a target for vector populations control and filariasis drug target.