How do the macrocyclic lactones kill filarial nematode larvae?

The macrocyclic lactones (MLs) are one of the few classes of drug used in the control of the human filarial infections, onchocerciasis and lymphatic filariasis, and the only one used to prevent heartworm disease in dogs and cats. Despite their importance in preventing filarial diseases, the way in w...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Invertebrate neuroscience 2016-09, Vol.16 (3), p.7-7, Article 7
Main Authors: Wolstenholme, Adrian J., Maclean, Mary J., Coates, Ruby, McCoy, Ciaran J., Reaves, Barbara J.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animals
Biomedical and Life Sciences
Biomedicine
Cell Biology
Filariasis - drug therapy
Filaricides - pharmacology
Filarioidea - drug effects
Humans
Immune system
Invertebrates
Lactams, Macrocyclic
Larva - drug effects
Larvae
Molecular Medicine
Nematoda
Nematodes
Neurobiology
Neurosciences
Onchocerca - drug effects
Parasites
Review
Vector-borne diseases
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Summary:The macrocyclic lactones (MLs) are one of the few classes of drug used in the control of the human filarial infections, onchocerciasis and lymphatic filariasis, and the only one used to prevent heartworm disease in dogs and cats. Despite their importance in preventing filarial diseases, the way in which the MLs work against these parasites is unclear. In vitro measurements of nematode motility have revealed a large discrepancy between the maximum plasma concentrations achieved after drug administration and the amounts required to paralyze worms. Recent evidence has shed new light on the likely functions of the ML target, glutamate-gated chloride channels, in filarial nematodes and supports the hypothesis that the rapid clearance of microfilariae that follows treatment involves the host immune system.
ISSN:1354-2516
1439-1104
DOI:10.1007/s10158-016-0190-7