Microfilaria (singular: microfilaria; plural: microfilariae) (mf)

Microfilariae are the pre-larval or first larval stage (L1) of certain parasitic nematodes belonging to the family Onchocercidae[1]. They circulate in the blood or skin of vertebrate hosts, where they can be taken up by blood-feeding arthropod vectors (usually mosquitoes or blackflies). Inside the vector, microfilariae mature into infective larvae, which are then transmitted to new vertebrate hosts. Microfilariae are diagnostic for active filarial infection and are the targets for control programs (e.g., mass drug administration in lymphatic filariasis). Although they are critical in disease transmission and as a treatment biomarker, microfilariae are multicellular organisms and not molecular targets or receptors themselves[1][3][5][7]. Therefore, referring to "microfilariae" as a molecular or pharmacological target is incorrect, but components of microfilariae (e.g., specific proteins or metabolic pathways) could serve as targets for antiparasitic drugs or vaccines[4].

Other names

Microfilarial larvamfearly stage filarial worm larva

Paralysis and death of microfilariae (e.g., ivermectin); Induction of immune response clearing microfilariae (DEC); Inhibition of parasite development via essential symbiont depletion (doxycycline, AWZ1066S)[2]