Antibiotics which target the Wolbachia endosymbionts of filarial parasites: a new strategy for control of filariasis and amelioration of pathology.

Wolbachia endosymbionts of filariae are targets for the development of new antifilarial chemotherapy. Doxycycline to deplete Wolbachia from the worm has demonstrated the feasibility of this strategy and has provided a new chemotherapeutic tool. Recent research shows that depleting Wolbachia will also lessen pathology, and lessen adverse reactions to traditional antifilarial drugs.