Micro-organisms in filarial larvae (Nematoda)

Abstract

Unusual bodies have been described in the hypodermal tissues of larval Dirofilaria immitis and Brugia pahangi. Ultrastructural evidence indicates that these bodies are probably Gram-negative micro-organisms. It appears that the presence of large numbers of these bodies in an early embryo may affect development adversely. Their importance at later stages of development of filariae is not known.