Existence of endosymbiont Wolbachia in Setaria digitata

Most of human and animal filarial nematodes, harbour intracellular bacteria of the genus Wolbachia . The existence of Wolbachia endosymbiont in cattle filarial parasite, Setaria digitata was examined in the present study by molecular analysis. Anti Brugia malayi WSP antiserum exhibited a similar reactivity with crude antigen preparation of S. digitata and B. malayi by Western blot analysis. Localisation studies by immunohistochemisty showed reactivity with sections of S. digiatata . Sequence analysis of WSP and 16S ribosomal RNA genes suggested a high similarity (99%) with Wolbachia endosymbiont of human filarial parasites, like B. malayi , Wuchereria bancrofti , etc. Besides this, phylogenetic analysis of the WSP sequences from these members indicated a similar evolutional origin. Thus, the current study would help us to address the role of Wolbachia in S. digitata infection in cattle and also facilitate the usage of S. digitata as a model, in studies pertaining to human filarial infections.