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Effects of an Onchocerca-derived cysteine protease inhibitor on microfilariae in their simuliid vector

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 March 1999

S. L. KLÄGER ,
H.-E. HAGEN  and
J. E. BRADLEY
S. L. KLÄGER
Affiliation:
Department of Biological Sciences, University of Salford, Salford M5 4WT, UK
H.-E. HAGEN
Affiliation:
Department of Biological Sciences, Keele University, Staffs ST5 5BG, UK
J. E. BRADLEY
Affiliation:
Department of Biological Sciences, University of Salford, Salford M5 4WT, UK
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Abstract

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A recombinant cysteine protease inhibitor, onchocystatin of the parasitic nematode Onchocerca volvulus, was tested for its role in microfilarial development in the simuliid vector. Onchocystatin was found to be present in female adults and skin microfilariae of the bovine parasite O. ochengi, the closest relative of O. volvulus. In addition the inhibitor could be detected as an excretory–secretory (E–S) product of the microfilariae. Co-injection of onchocystatin and the O. ochengi microfilariae into the surrogate vector Simulium ornatum s.l. significantly enhanced the recovery rates of the parasite within 24 h into the infection (P>0·001). The findings suggest a possible role of onchocystatin in the evasion by the parasite of the immune response of its vector.

Keywords

filariasisinsect immunitydevelopmentonchocystatin
Type
Research Article
Information
Parasitology , Volume 118 , Issue 3 , March 1999 , pp. 305 - 310
Copyright
1999 Cambridge University Press