Genomic-based discovery and validation of novel anti-filarial drugs.

Background: Lymphatic filariasis is a mosquito-transmitted disease, while onchocerciasis is transmitted by blackflies. There is no vaccine for these infections. New drugs are required for improvement of current therapies. Objective: This article reviews recent advances in filarial parasite genomics and opportunities for new antifilarial drug research. Methods and results: Genomic approach to filarial parasites provides new prospects for target validation. Comparative genomics filters enable us to select filarial parasite-specific gene products of interest. Functional genomics filters allow the selection of gene products essential for pathogen survival. The validated targets could be prioritized and categorized by informatics methods and manual curation. Conclusion: Lymphatic filariasis and onchocerciasis can be eliminated by either sterilizing or killing adult worms. It is most advantageous to target Wolbachia species for developing new drugs. Functional genomic approaches using microarrays, proteomics, and model organisms, have significantly expanded options for researchers. The genomic-based approach is promising for anti-filarial drug discovery in the future.

Comparative assessment of an Og4C3 ELISA and an ICT filariasis test: a study of Myanmar migrants in Thailand.

Detection of circulating filarial antigen has now emerged as an alternative method for the diagnosis of bancroftian filariasis. We compared two antigen detection assays, an Og4C3 ELISA and an ICT (immunochromatography) Filariasis test, for the diagnosis of Wuchereria bancrofti infections in migrant Myanmar workers in Tak province, Western Thailand. A total of 337 Myanmars participated in this study. The microfilarial rate was 3.3%. The Og4C3 ELISA could detect 19.1% of bancroftian filariasis while the ICT test detected 12.7%. Both antigen assays could detect all microfilaremics. The Og4C3 ELISA detected 14.8% of amicrofilaremics while the ICT test identified 8.1%. Those who were positive for the ICT test were also positive by the Og4C3 ELISA. Those Og4C3 positive cases, that were ICT negative (ICT-ve/Og4C3+ve) had statistically significant (p < 0.05, unpaired t-test) lower Og4C3 antigen levels (409.5 units, range 117-2,389) than those that were ICT positive (ICT+ve/Og4C3+ve) (5,252.0 units, range 130-28,062). Our results emphasize the problem of bancroftian filariasis in Myanmar migrants working in Thailand. Close monitoring and control of this disease in Myanmar migrants are of public health importance. Antigen detection systems are promising tools for the surveillance of bancroftian filariasis.