Impact of Experimental Hookworm Infection on the Human Gut Microbiota

Abstract

The interactions between gastrointestinal parasitic helminths and commensal bacteria are likely to play a pivotal role in the establishment of host-parasite cross-talk, ultimately shaping the development of the intestinal immune system. However, little information is available on the impact of infections by gastrointestinal helminths on the bacterial communities inhabiting the human gut. We used 16S rRNA gene amplification and pyrosequencing to characterize, for the first time to our knowledge, the differences in composition and relative abundance of fecal microbial communities in human subjects prior to and following experimental infection with the blood-feeding intestinal hookworm, Necator americanus. Our data show that, although hookworm infection leads to a minor increase in microbial species richness, no detectable effect is observed on community structure, diversity or relative abundance of individual bacterial species.

Helminth Infections and Gut Microbiota: The Futuristic Study of Pathogen Virulence and Gut Ecosystem

“…Lee et al [18] studied the faecal samples from non-infected and helminth infected individuals and found an increase in members of Paraprevotellaceae family of bacteria in individuals with Trichuris trichiura infection. Similar comparative study on the faecal samples of celiac patients before and after giving a low dose of Necator americanus infection revealed increased bacterial populations in faeces of helminth infected individuals [19]. This part is extremely important as it opens a gateway for innovative biomarkers for diagnosing the health status.…”

Intestinal microbiota, fecal microbiota transplantation, and inflammatory bowel disease

“…Hookwork colonization seems to increase the diversity of the gut microbiota, 68 although this effect has not always been reproducible. 69 Certainly the idea of using a single agent to orchestrate a more diverse microbiota is appealing, as in general diversity is associated with health, however much more research is needed before this is trialed in human diseases.…”

Early-life enteric infections: relation between chronic systemic inflammation and poor cognition in children

“…A small number of studies have investigated the impact of helminthic infections on the intestinal microbiota and inflammation. 35,36 A recent study evaluated microbial communities after nematode infection and showed significantly higher levels of cecal c-Proteobacteria/Enterobacteriaceae and Bacteroides/Prevotella organisms than in uninfected controls, which may constitute an anti-inflammatory factor in inflammatory bowel disease. 37 Interestingly, Cantacessi et al 35 .…”

“…35,36 A recent study evaluated microbial communities after nematode infection and showed significantly higher levels of cecal c-Proteobacteria/Enterobacteriaceae and Bacteroides/Prevotella organisms than in uninfected controls, which may constitute an anti-inflammatory factor in inflammatory bowel disease. 37 Interestingly, Cantacessi et al 35 . did not find significant changes in the intestinal microbiota communities after Necator americanus infection in healthy volunteers, but they did not evaluate subjects living in areas where enteric infections were endemic.…”