Filaria zoogeography in Africa: Ecology, competitive exclusion, and public health relevance

David H. Molyneux; Edward Mitre; Moses J. Bockarie; Louise A. Kelly-Hope

doi:10.1016/j.pt.2014.02.002

Filaria zoogeography in Africa: Ecology, competitive exclusion, and public health relevance

David H. Molyneux^*, Edward Mitre, Moses J. Bockarie, Louise A. Kelly-Hope

^*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journal › Review article › peer-review

22 Scopus citations

Abstract

Six species of filariae infect humans in sub-Saharan Africa. We hypothesise that these nematodes are able to polyparasitise human hosts by having successfully, through competitive exclusion, adapted to distinct niches. Despite inhabiting the same host, adult stages reside in different tissue sites. Microfilariae of some species exhibit temporal separation by reaching peak levels in the blood at specific times of day. Spatial and temporal distributions in microfilaria location are exploited by the vector feeding-behaviour whereas adult survival is enhanced by occupying exclusive 'ecological' niches of the body. We present specific examples to demonstrate this concept, which is not only important from the biological aspect but important in the context of elimination programmes.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	163-169
Number of pages	7
Journal	Trends in Parasitology
Volume	30
Issue number	4
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pt.2014.02.002
State	Published - Apr 2014
Externally published	Yes

Keywords

Africa
Competitive exclusion
Filarial parasites
Insect vectors
Zoogeography

Access to Document

10.1016/j.pt.2014.02.002

Cite this

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title = "Filaria zoogeography in Africa: Ecology, competitive exclusion, and public health relevance",

abstract = "Six species of filariae infect humans in sub-Saharan Africa. We hypothesise that these nematodes are able to polyparasitise human hosts by having successfully, through competitive exclusion, adapted to distinct niches. Despite inhabiting the same host, adult stages reside in different tissue sites. Microfilariae of some species exhibit temporal separation by reaching peak levels in the blood at specific times of day. Spatial and temporal distributions in microfilaria location are exploited by the vector feeding-behaviour whereas adult survival is enhanced by occupying exclusive 'ecological' niches of the body. We present specific examples to demonstrate this concept, which is not only important from the biological aspect but important in the context of elimination programmes.",

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AU - Bockarie, Moses J.

AU - Kelly-Hope, Louise A.

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AB - Six species of filariae infect humans in sub-Saharan Africa. We hypothesise that these nematodes are able to polyparasitise human hosts by having successfully, through competitive exclusion, adapted to distinct niches. Despite inhabiting the same host, adult stages reside in different tissue sites. Microfilariae of some species exhibit temporal separation by reaching peak levels in the blood at specific times of day. Spatial and temporal distributions in microfilaria location are exploited by the vector feeding-behaviour whereas adult survival is enhanced by occupying exclusive 'ecological' niches of the body. We present specific examples to demonstrate this concept, which is not only important from the biological aspect but important in the context of elimination programmes.

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