The carbohydrate metabolism of Brugia pahangi microfilariae

Evidence is presented that the microfilariae of Litomosoides carinii, Dipetalonema viteae and Brugia pahangi have an aerobic requirement for motility, but possibly not for survival. In addition, the data suggest that in an in vitro anaerobic environment, B. pahangi microfilariae ferment glucose only as far as lactate. In an aerobic environment, however, the data are consistent with a portion of glucose being dissimilated via a one step oxidative decarboxylation of pyruvate formed from glycolysis to acetate and CO2. In addition, a low level of complete oxidation, possibly via a tricarboxylic acid cycle pathway, may be occurring. Finally, if B. pahangi microfilariae are immobilized with levamisole in an aerobic atmosphere, the drug appears to alter the aerobic glucose metabolism of the parasite both qualitatively and quantitatively. A decreased glucose utilization occurs, together with a shift to a more nearly homolactate fermentation. It is suggested that the effects of levamisole on the metabolism of the microfilariid are secondary to the observed paralysis.