Real-time analysis of gut flora in Entamoeba histolytica infected patients of Northern India

Abstract

BackgroundAmebic dysentery is caused by the protozoan parasite Entamoeba histolytica and the ingestion of quadrinucleate cyst of E. histolytica from fecally contaminated food or water initiates infection. Excystation occurs in the lumen of small intestine, where motile and potentially invasive trophozoites germinate from cysts. The ability of trophozoites to interact and digest gut bacteria is apparently important for multiplication of the parasite and its pathogenicity; however the contribution of resident bacterial flora is not well understood. We quantified the population of Bacteroides, Bifidobacterium, Ruminococcus, Lactobacillus, Clostridium leptum subgroup, Clostridium coccoides subgroup, Eubacterium, Campylobacter, Methanobrevibacter smithii and Sulphur reducing bacteria using genus specific primers in healthy (N = 22) vs amebic patients (E. histolytica positive, N = 17) stool samples by Real-time PCR.ResultsAbsolute quantification of Bacteroides (p = .001), Closrtridium coccoides subgroup (p = 0.002), Clostridium leptum subgroup (p = 0.0001), Lactobacillus (p = 0.037), Campylobacter (p = 0.0014) and Eubacterium (p = 0.038) show significant drop in their population however, significant increase in Bifdobacterium (p = 0.009) was observed where as the population of Ruminococcus (p = 0.33) remained unaltered in healthy vs amebic patients (E. histolytica positive). We also report high prevalence of nimE gene in stool samples of both healthy volunteers and amebic patients. No significant decrease in nimE gene copy number was observed before and after the treatment with antiamebic drug.ConclusionsOur results show significant alteration in predominant gut bacteria in E. histolytica infected individuals. The frequent episodes of intestinal amoebic dysentery thus result in depletion of few predominant genera in gut that may lead to poor digestion and absorption of food in intestine. It further disturbs the homeostasis between gut epithelium and bacterial flora. The decrease in beneficial bacterial population gives way to dysbiosis of gut bacteria which may contribute to final outcome of the disease. Increase in the copy number of nimE gene harboring bacteria in our population reflects possible decrease in the availability of metronidazole drug during treatment of amoebiasis.

Blastocystis Is Associated with Decrease of Fecal Microbiota Protective Bacteria: Comparative Analysis between Patients with Irritable Bowel Syndrome and Control Subjects

“…Thus Blastocystis may potentially interact with gut microbiota and induce changes in its composition. In their work, Verma et al also reported a depletion of major microbiota genera after infection by Entamoeba histolytica [50]. In that field, animal models may probably provide crucial informations.…”

Gut microbiota related to Giardia duodenalis, Entamoeba spp. and Blastocystis hominis infections in humans from Côte d’Ivoire

“…Giardia infection may trigger long-lasting changes in the spatial distribution of commensal microorganisms, enhancing bacterial invasiveness and inflammatory responses in the gut mucosa during the post-clearance phase [9]. Regarding E. histolytica, significant alterations of predominant gut bacteria and a depletion of some predominant genera (e.g., Bacteroides, Eubacterium, Lactobacillus) in the gut of infected patients has been described [10]. The hypothesis that Blastocystis might also be linked to intestinal flora imbalance has been recently supported in a study involving patients with irritable bowel syndrome [11].…”

Entamoeba histolytica: Host parasite interactions at the colonic epithelium

“…Alterations in the host microbiota have been observed in patients infected with Eh including suppression of Clostidium, Bacteroides, Lactobacillus, Campylobacter and Eubacterium with an expansion of Bifdobacterium. 24 Interestingly, susceptibility to Eh infection can be predicted to a 79% accuracy based on analysis of microbiota distribution in the host. 25 Several taxa that are strongly associated to a facilitative microbiota to allow for Eh infection have been linked to autoimmune disorders and exacerbating a pro-inflammatory state in the intestine including Prevotella copri.…”