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Siti Farah Norasyikeen SO, Ngui R, Syaza Zafirah AR, Md Zoqratt MZH, Eng WWH, Ayub Q, Amin Nordin S, Narcisse Mary Sither Joseph V, Musa S, Lim YAL. Study on intestinal parasitic infections and gut microbiota in cancer patients at a tertiary teaching hospital in Malaysia. Sci Rep 2024; 14:13650. [PMID: 38871760 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-59969-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2023] [Accepted: 04/17/2024] [Indexed: 06/15/2024] Open
Abstract
Intestinal parasitic infections (IPIs) can lead to significant morbidity and mortality in cancer patients. While they are unlikely to cause severe disease and are self-limiting in healthy individuals, cancer patients are especially susceptible to opportunistic parasitic infections. The gut microbiota plays a crucial role in various aspects of health, including immune regulation and metabolic processes. Parasites occupy the same environment as bacteria in the gut. Recent research suggests intestinal parasites can disrupt the normal balance of the gut microbiota. However, there is limited understanding of this co-infection dynamic among cancer patients in Malaysia. A study was conducted to determine the prevalence and relationship between intestinal parasites and gut microbiota composition in cancer patients. Stool samples from 134 cancer patients undergoing active treatment or newly diagnosed were collected and examined for the presence of intestinal parasites and gut microbiota composition. The study also involved 17 healthy individuals for comparison and control. Sequencing with 16S RNA at the V3-V4 region was used to determine the gut microbial composition between infected and non-infected cancer patients and healthy control subjects. The overall prevalence of IPIs among cancer patients was found to be 32.8%. Microsporidia spp. Accounted for the highest percentage at 20.1%, followed by Entamoeba spp. (3.7%), Cryptosporidium spp. (3.0%), Cyclospora spp. (2.2%), and Ascaris lumbricoides (0.8%). None of the health control subjects tested positive for intestinal parasites. The sequencing data analysis revealed that the gut microbiota diversity and composition were significantly different in cancer patients than in healthy controls (p < 0.001). A significant dissimilarity was observed in the bacterial composition between parasite-infected and non-infected patients based on Bray-Curtis (p = 0.041) and Jaccard (p = 0.021) measurements. Bacteria from the genus Enterococcus were enriched in the parasite-infected groups, while Faecalibacterium prausnitzii reduced compared to non-infected and control groups. Further analysis between different IPIs and non-infected individuals demonstrated a noteworthy variation in Entamoeba-infected (unweighted UniFrac: p = 0.008), Cryptosporidium-infected (Bray-Curtis: p = 0.034) and microsporidia-infected (unweighted: p = 0.026; weighted: p = 0.019; Jaccard: p = 0.031) samples. No significant dissimilarity was observed between Cyclospora-infected groups and non-infected groups. Specifically, patients infected with Cryptosporidium and Entamoeba showed increased obligate anaerobic bacteria. Clostridiales were enriched with Entamoeba infections, whereas those from Coriobacteriales decreased. Bacteroidales and Clostridium were found in higher abundance in the gut microbiota with Cryptosporidium infection, while Bacillales decreased. Additionally, bacteria from the genus Enterococcus were enriched in microsporidia-infected patients. In contrast, bacteria from the Clostridiales order, Faecalibacterium, Parabacteroides, Collinsella, Ruminococcus, and Sporosarcina decreased compared to the non-infected groups. These findings underscore the importance of understanding and managing the interactions between intestinal parasites and gut microbiota for improved outcomes in cancer patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sidi Omar Siti Farah Norasyikeen
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Malaya, 50603, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
- Department of Paraclinical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak, 94300, Kota Samarahan, Malaysia
| | - Romano Ngui
- Department of Paraclinical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak, 94300, Kota Samarahan, Malaysia.
| | - Ab Rahman Syaza Zafirah
- Department of Paediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Malaya, 50603, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | | | - Wilhelm Wei Han Eng
- Monash University Malaysia Genomics Facility, Monash University Malaysia, 47500, Subang Jaya, Malaysia
| | - Qasim Ayub
- Monash University Malaysia Genomics Facility, Monash University Malaysia, 47500, Subang Jaya, Malaysia
| | - Syafinaz Amin Nordin
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine & Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400, Serdang, Malaysia
| | | | - Sabri Musa
- Department of Children's Dentistry and Orthodontics, Faculty of Dentistry, Universiti Malaya, 50603, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Yvonne Ai Lian Lim
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Malaya, 50603, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
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Sikder S, Pierce D, Sarkar ER, McHugh C, Quinlan KGR, Giacomin P, Loukas A. Regulation of host metabolic health by parasitic helminths. Trends Parasitol 2024; 40:386-400. [PMID: 38609741 DOI: 10.1016/j.pt.2024.03.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2024] [Revised: 03/14/2024] [Accepted: 03/14/2024] [Indexed: 04/14/2024]
Abstract
Obesity is a worldwide pandemic and major risk factor for the development of metabolic syndrome (MetS) and type 2 diabetes (T2D). T2D requires lifelong medical support to limit complications and is defined by impaired glucose tolerance, insulin resistance (IR), and chronic low-level systemic inflammation initiating from adipose tissue. The current preventative strategies include a healthy diet, controlled physical activity, and medication targeting hyperglycemia, with underexplored underlying inflammation. Studies suggest a protective role for helminth infection in the prevention of T2D. The mechanisms may involve induction of modified type 2 and regulatory immune responses that suppress inflammation and promote insulin sensitivity. In this review, the roles of helminths in counteracting MetS, and prospects for harnessing these protective mechanisms for the development of novel anti-diabetes drugs are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suchandan Sikder
- Australian Institute of Tropical Health and Medicine, James Cook University, Cairns, Queensland 4878, Australia.
| | - Doris Pierce
- Australian Institute of Tropical Health and Medicine, James Cook University, Cairns, Queensland 4878, Australia
| | - Eti R Sarkar
- Australian Institute of Tropical Health and Medicine, James Cook University, Cairns, Queensland 4878, Australia; College of Public Health, Medical and Veterinary Sciences, James Cook University, Cairns, Queensland 4878, Australia
| | - Connor McHugh
- Australian Institute of Tropical Health and Medicine, James Cook University, Cairns, Queensland 4878, Australia; College of Public Health, Medical and Veterinary Sciences, James Cook University, Cairns, Queensland 4878, Australia
| | - Kate G R Quinlan
- School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, 2052, Australia
| | - Paul Giacomin
- Australian Institute of Tropical Health and Medicine, James Cook University, Cairns, Queensland 4878, Australia; Macrobiome Therapeutics Pty Ltd, Cairns, Queensland 4878, Australia
| | - Alex Loukas
- Australian Institute of Tropical Health and Medicine, James Cook University, Cairns, Queensland 4878, Australia; Macrobiome Therapeutics Pty Ltd, Cairns, Queensland 4878, Australia
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Doolin ML, Dearing MD. Differential Effects of Two Common Antiparasitics on Microbiota Resilience. J Infect Dis 2024; 229:908-917. [PMID: 38036425 DOI: 10.1093/infdis/jiad547] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2023] [Revised: 11/20/2023] [Accepted: 11/28/2023] [Indexed: 12/02/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Parasitic infections challenge vertebrate health worldwide, and off-target effects of antiparasitic treatments may be an additional obstacle to recovery. However, there have been few investigations of the effects of antiparasitics on the gut microbiome in the absence of parasites. METHODS We investigated whether two common antiparasitics-albendazole (ALB) and metronidazole (MTZ)-significantly alter the gut microbiome of parasite-free mice. We treated mice with ALB or MTZ daily for 7 days and sampled the fecal microbiota immediately before and after treatment and again after a two-week recovery period. RESULTS ALB did not immediately change the gut microbiota, while MTZ decreased microbial richness by 8.5% and significantly changed community structure during treatment. The structural changes caused by MTZ included depletion of the beneficial family Lachnospiraceae, and predictive metagenomic analysis revealed that these losses likely depressed microbiome metabolic function. Separately, we compared the fecal microbiotas of treatment groups after recovery, and there were minor differences in community structure between the ALB, MTZ, and sham-treated control groups. CONCLUSIONS These results suggest that a healthy microbiome is resilient after MTZ-induced depletions of beneficial gut microbes, and ALB may cause slight, latent shifts in the microbiota but does not deplete healthy gut microbiota diversity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Margaret L Doolin
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
| | - M Denise Dearing
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
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Muslim A, Aazmi S, Er YX, Shahrizal S, Lim YAL. Ascaris lumbricoides harbors a distinct gut microbiota profile from its human host: Preliminary insights. Food Waterborne Parasitol 2024; 34:e00223. [PMID: 38323096 PMCID: PMC10844936 DOI: 10.1016/j.fawpar.2024.e00223] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2023] [Revised: 01/07/2024] [Accepted: 01/25/2024] [Indexed: 02/08/2024] Open
Abstract
In indigenous populations where soil-transmitted helminths (STH) infections are endemic, STH parasites (i.e., Ascaris lumbricoides, Trichuris trichiura, hookworms) often co-exist and co-evolve with the gut microbiota of their human hosts. The association between STH infections and the gut microbiota of the colonized human hosts has been established, but few studies explored the gut microbiota of the parasites. This preliminary study aimed to characterize the microbiota of the STH parasite for further understanding the STH parasite-host relationship. The gut microbial genomic DNA from four adult A. lumbricoides worms recovered from a six-year-old indigenous Negrito boy living in an STH-endemic village in Perak, Peninsular Malaysia was extracted and sequenced for the V3-V4 region of the 16S rRNA. The microbiota profiles of these worms were characterized and compared with the gut microbiota of their human host, including the profiles from four STH-positive and three STH-negative individuals from the same tribe and village. The gut microbial structure of A. lumbricoides was found to be differed significantly from their human host. The worms contained lower gut bacterial abundance and diversity than human. This difference was evident in the beta diversity analysis which showed a clear separation between the two sample types. While both Firmicutes (52.3%) and Bacteroidetes (36.6%) are the predominant phyla followed by Proteobacteria (7.2%) in the human gut, the microbiota of Ascaris gut is highly dominated by Firmicutes, constituting 84.2% relative abundance (mainly from the genus Clostridium), followed by Proteobacteria (11.1%), Tenericutes (1.8%) and Bacteroidetes (1.5%). The parasites were also found to alter the microbial structure of the human gut following infection based on the relatively higher bacterial abundance in STH-positive versus STH-negative participants. Further studies with a greater number of Ascaris adults and human hosts are needed to confirm the gut microbiota profiles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Azdayanti Muslim
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Teknologi MARA (Sungai Buloh Campus), Jalan Hospital, Sungai Buloh, Selangor, Malaysia
- Institute for Biodiversity and Sustainable Development, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Shah Alam, Selangor, Malaysia
- Microbiome Health and Environment (MiHeaRT), Faculty of Applied Sciences, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Shah Alam, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Shafiq Aazmi
- Microbiome Health and Environment (MiHeaRT), Faculty of Applied Sciences, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Shah Alam, Selangor, Malaysia
- School of Biology, Faculty of Applied Science, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Shah Alam, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Yi Xian Er
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Shezryna Shahrizal
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Teknologi MARA (Sungai Buloh Campus), Jalan Hospital, Sungai Buloh, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Yvonne Ai Lian Lim
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
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Mules TC, Inns S, Le Gros G. Helminths' therapeutic potential to treat intestinal barrier dysfunction. Allergy 2023; 78:2892-2905. [PMID: 37449458 DOI: 10.1111/all.15812] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2023] [Revised: 06/20/2023] [Accepted: 07/02/2023] [Indexed: 07/18/2023]
Abstract
The intestinal barrier is a dynamic multi-layered structure which can adapt to environmental changes within the intestinal lumen. It has the complex task of allowing nutrient absorption while limiting entry of harmful microbes and microbial antigens present in the intestinal lumen. Excessive entry of microbial antigens via microbial translocation due to 'intestinal barrier dysfunction' is hypothesised to contribute to the increasing incidence of allergic, autoimmune and metabolic diseases, a concept referred to as the 'epithelial barrier theory'. Helminths reside in the intestinal tract are in intimate contact with the mucosal surfaces and induce a range of local immunological changes which affect the layers of the intestinal barrier. Helminths are proposed to prevent, or even treat, many of the diseases implicated in the epithelial barrier theory. This review will focus on the effect of helminths on intestinal barrier function and explore whether this could explain the proposed health benefits delivered by helminths.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas C Mules
- Malaghan Institute of Medical Research, Wellington, New Zealand
- University of Otago, Wellington, New Zealand
| | | | - Graham Le Gros
- Malaghan Institute of Medical Research, Wellington, New Zealand
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Maigoro AY, Muhammad M, Bello B, Useh U, Lee S. Exploration of Gut Microbiome Research in Africa: A Scoping Review. J Med Food 2023; 26:616-623. [PMID: 37523293 DOI: 10.1089/jmf.2023.k.0005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/02/2023] Open
Abstract
The crucial role of the gut microbiome in various diseases has led to increased interest in interventions and therapeutics targeting the human microbiome. Accordingly, the current scoping review analyzed the diseases and interventions involved in gut microbiome research in Africa. The electronic databases of PubMed, Google Scholar, and Scopus were searched from inception to October 2021. This study identified 48 studies involving 7073 study participants. Of the 48 studies, 20 (42%) used interventions to modulate gut microbiota, whereas the remaining 28 (58%) did not. Out of the total African countries, only 13% were involved in intervention-based gut microbiome research, whereas a larger proportion of 67% were not involved in any gut microbiome research. The interventions used in gut microbiome research in Africa include supplements, natural products, educational approaches, associated pathogens, albendazole, fresh daily yogurt, iron-containing lipid-based nutrient supplements, fecal microbiota transplant, and prophylactic cotrimoxazole. This scoping review highlights the current state of gut microbiome research in Africa. The findings of this review can inform the design of future studies and interventions aimed at improving gut health in African populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abdulkadir Yusif Maigoro
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Biology, College of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Chungnam National University, Daejeon, Korea
| | - Mubarak Muhammad
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand
| | - Bashir Bello
- Lifestyle Diseases Research Entity, Faculty of Health Sciences, North-West University, Vanderbijlpark, South Africa
| | - Ushotanefe Useh
- Lifestyle Diseases Research Entity, Faculty of Health Sciences, North-West University, Vanderbijlpark, South Africa
| | - Soojin Lee
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Biology, College of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Chungnam National University, Daejeon, Korea
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Pheeha SM, Tamuzi JL, Chale-Matsau B, Manda S, Nyasulu PS. A Scoping Review Evaluating the Current State of Gut Microbiota Research in Africa. Microorganisms 2023; 11:2118. [PMID: 37630678 PMCID: PMC10458939 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms11082118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2023] [Revised: 08/15/2023] [Accepted: 08/16/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
The gut microbiota has emerged as a key human health and disease determinant. However, there is a significant knowledge gap regarding the composition, diversity, and function of the gut microbiota, specifically in the African population. This scoping review aims to examine the existing literature on gut microbiota research conducted in Africa, providing an overview of the current knowledge and identifying research gaps. A comprehensive search strategy was employed to identify relevant studies. Databases including MEDLINE (PubMed), African Index Medicus (AIM), CINAHL (EBSCOhost), Science Citation index (Web of Science), Embase (Ovid), Scopus (Elsevier), WHO International Clinical Trials Registry Platform (ICTRP), and Google Scholar were searched for relevant articles. Studies investigating the gut microbiota in African populations of all age groups were included. The initial screening included a total of 2136 articles, of which 154 were included in this scoping review. The current scoping review revealed a limited number of studies investigating diseases of public health significance in relation to the gut microbiota. Among these studies, HIV (14.3%), colorectal cancer (5.2%), and diabetes mellitus (3.9%) received the most attention. The top five countries that contributed to gut microbiota research were South Africa (16.2%), Malawi (10.4%), Egypt (9.7%), Kenya (7.1%), and Nigeria (6.5%). The high number (n = 66) of studies that did not study any specific disease in relation to the gut microbiota remains a gap that needs to be filled. This scoping review brings attention to the prevalent utilization of observational study types (38.3%) in the studies analysed and emphasizes the importance of conducting more experimental studies. Furthermore, the findings reflect the need for more disease-focused, comprehensive, and population-specific gut microbiota studies across diverse African regions and ethnic groups to better understand the factors shaping gut microbiota composition and its implications for health and disease. Such knowledge has the potential to inform targeted interventions and personalized approaches for improving health outcomes in African populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara M. Pheeha
- Division of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town 7500, South Africa; (S.M.P.)
- Department of Chemical Pathology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University, Pretoria 0208, South Africa
- National Health Laboratory Service, Dr George Mukhari Academic Hospital, Pretoria 0208, South Africa
| | - Jacques L. Tamuzi
- Division of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town 7500, South Africa; (S.M.P.)
| | - Bettina Chale-Matsau
- Department of Chemical Pathology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Pretoria, Pretoria 0028, South Africa
- National Health Laboratory Service, Steve Biko Academic Hospital, Pretoria 0002, South Africa
| | - Samuel Manda
- Department of Statistics, Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, University of Pretoria, Pretoria 0028, South Africa
| | - Peter S. Nyasulu
- Division of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town 7500, South Africa; (S.M.P.)
- Division of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg 2193, South Africa
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Appiah-Twum F, Akorli J, Okyere L, Sagoe K, Osabutey D, Cappello M, Wilson MD. The effect of single dose albendazole (400 mg) treatment on the human gut microbiome of hookworm-infected Ghanaian individuals. Sci Rep 2023; 13:11302. [PMID: 37438457 PMCID: PMC10338455 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-38376-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2022] [Accepted: 07/07/2023] [Indexed: 07/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Microbes play a key role in human gut homeostasis, metabolic, immunologic and physiopathology of the body. A longitudinal study conducted during 2018-2021 in the Kintampo North Municipality in Ghana demonstrated low hookworm infection cure rates following treatment with a single dose of 400 mg albendazole in some communities. To investigate associations between hookworm infection and the gut microbiome, we examined stool samples from consented participants who were either cured or remained infected after treatment. At each time point, stool was collected prior to and 10-14 days after albendazole treatment. We used 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing of DNA extracted from stool samples to investigate the composition and diversity of the gut microbiota and to identify potential microbial biomarkers associated with treatment outcomes. Hookworm infection was associated with increased species richness (p = 0.0093). Among treated individuals, there was also a significant variation in microbiota composition at 10-14 days following single-dose albendazole treatment. Individuals cured of hookworm infection after treatment showed a significant reduction in microbiota composition when compared to their pre-treatment state (ANOSIM; p = 0.02), whilst individuals who failed to clear the infection showed no change in microbiota composition (ANOSIM; p = 0.35). Uninfected individuals and those who were successfully treated were similar in their microbial composition and structure. We also found that the abundance of Clostridia spp. was increased in infected individuals pre- or post-treatment. Predictive functional profiling revealed the enrichment of two pyruvate ferredoxin oxidoreductase subunit pathways in individuals who remained infected after treatment (p < 0.05), alluding to an upturn of strictly anaerobic commensal bacteria such as Clostridia spp. This study suggests a relationship between human gut microbiome dysbiosis and albendazole therapy outcomes of hookworm infection. Future studies will further characterize specific biomarkers identified within this study to establish their potential for assessment of pharmacological responses to anthelminthic therapies, as well as explore the possibility of using probiotic supplementation as an adjunct treatment to increase albendazole effectiveness against hookworm.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francis Appiah-Twum
- Department of Parasitology, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, University of Ghana, PO Box LG 581, Legon, Accra, Ghana
| | - Jewelna Akorli
- Department of Parasitology, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, University of Ghana, PO Box LG 581, Legon, Accra, Ghana
| | - Lydia Okyere
- Department of Parasitology, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, University of Ghana, PO Box LG 581, Legon, Accra, Ghana
- Department of Pathobiology, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, 2522 Vet Med Basic Sciences Bldg., 2001 South Lincoln Avenue, Urbana, IL, 61802, USA
| | - Kate Sagoe
- Department of Parasitology, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, University of Ghana, PO Box LG 581, Legon, Accra, Ghana
- Pan African University Institute for Basic Sciences, Technology, and Innovation (PAUSTI), P. O. Box 62000 00200, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Dickson Osabutey
- Department of Parasitology, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, University of Ghana, PO Box LG 581, Legon, Accra, Ghana
| | - Michael Cappello
- Department of Epidemiology of Microbial Diseases, Yale School of Public Health, Yale University, 60 College St, New Haven, CT, 06520, USA
| | - Michael D Wilson
- Department of Parasitology, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, University of Ghana, PO Box LG 581, Legon, Accra, Ghana.
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Flynn JK, Ortiz AM, Herbert R, Brenchley JM. Host Genetics and Environment Shape the Composition of the Gastrointestinal Microbiome in Nonhuman Primates. Microbiol Spectr 2023; 11:e0213922. [PMID: 36475838 PMCID: PMC9927375 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.02139-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2022] [Accepted: 11/16/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The bacterial component of the gastrointestinal tract microbiome is comprised of hundreds of species, the majority of which live in symbiosis with the host. The bacterial microbiome is influenced by host diet and disease history, and host genetics may additionally play a role. To understand the degree to which host genetics shapes the gastrointestinal tract microbiome, we studied fecal microbiomes in 4 species of nonhuman primates (NHPs) held in separate facilities but fed the same base diet. These animals include Chlorocebus pygerythrus, Chlorocebus sabaeus, Macaca mulatta, and Macaca nemestrina. We also followed gastrointestinal tract microbiome composition in 20 Macaca mulatta (rhesus macaques [RMs]) as they transitioned from an outdoor to indoor environment and compared 6 Chlorocebus pygerythrus monkeys that made the outdoor to indoor transition to their 9 captive-born offspring. We found that genetics can influence microbiome composition, with animals of different genera (Chlorocebus versus Macaca) having significantly different gastrointestinal (GI) microbiomes despite controlled diets. Animals within the same genera have more similar microbiomes, although still significantly different, and animals within the same species have even more similar compositions that are not significantly different. Significant differences were also not observed between wild-born and captive-born Chlorocebus pygerythrus, while there were significant changes in RMs as they transitioned into captivity. Together, these results suggest that the effects of captivity have a larger impact on the microbiome than other factors we examined within a single NHP species, although host genetics does significantly influence microbiome composition between NHP genera and species. IMPORTANCE Our data point to the degree to which host genetics can influence GI microbiome composition and suggest, within primate species, that individual host genetics is unlikely to significantly alter the microbiome. These data are important for the development of therapeutics aimed at altering the microbiome within populations of genetically disparate members of primate species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacob K. Flynn
- Barrier Immunity Section, Lab of Viral Diseases, NIAID, NIH, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Alexandra M. Ortiz
- Barrier Immunity Section, Lab of Viral Diseases, NIAID, NIH, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Richard Herbert
- Comparative Medicine Branch, NIAID, NIH, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Jason M. Brenchley
- Barrier Immunity Section, Lab of Viral Diseases, NIAID, NIH, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
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Ahmed SA, Kotepui M, Masangkay FR, Milanez GD, Karanis P. Gastrointestinal parasites in Africa: A review. ADVANCES IN PARASITOLOGY 2023; 119:1-64. [PMID: 36707173 DOI: 10.1016/bs.apar.2022.10.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Data on human gastrointestinal parasites (GIP) infections in the african sub-regions and countries are mainly lacking in terms of prevalence and population stratification by afflicted age group, symptomatology, multi-parasitism, and diagnostic methods. This study aims to describe the GIP reported in african countries and discuss the extent of the burden in the african context. Only 68.42% (39/57) of african countries reported human cases of GIP with helminths (45%, CI: 40-50%, I2: 99.79%) as the predominant parasitic group infecting the african population. On a regional scale, Central Africa had the highest pooled prevalence for GIP (43%, CI: 32-54%, I2: 99.74%), while the Central African Republic led all countries with a pooled prevalence of 90% (CI: 89-92%, I2: 99.96%). The vulnerable population (patients who are minorities, children, old, poor, underfunded, or have particular medical conditions) was the most affected (50%, CI: 37-62%, I2: 99.33%), with the predominance of GIP in the 6 to <20 years age group (48%, CI: 43-54%, I2: 99.68%). Reports on multi-parasitism (44%, CI: 40-48%, I2: 99.73%) were almost double the reports of single infections (43%, CI: 27-59%, I2: 99.77%) with combined molecular and non-molecular techniques demonstrating the best performance for GIP identification. The current review spans more than 40 years of GIP reports from the african continent. Geographical characteristics, environmental factors, habits of its inhabitants, and their health status play a crucial role in GIP modulation and behaviour in its captive hosts. Strategies for regular and enhanced surveillance, policy formation, and high-level community awareness are necessary to identify the true incidence in Africa and the transmission of the pathogens via water and food.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shahira A Ahmed
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Suez Canal University, Ismailia, Egypt
| | - Manas Kotepui
- Medical Technology Program, School of Allied Health Sciences, Walailak University, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Thailand
| | - Frederick R Masangkay
- Department of Medical Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Santo Tomas, Manila, Philippines
| | - Giovanni D Milanez
- Department of Medical Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Santo Tomas, Manila, Philippines
| | - Panagiotis Karanis
- University of Cologne, Medical Faculty and University Hospital, Cologne, Germany; University of Nicosia Medical School, Nicosia, Cyprus.
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Tee MZ, Er YX, Easton AV, Yap NJ, Lee IL, Devlin J, Chen Z, Ng KS, Subramanian P, Angelova A, Oyesola O, Sargsian S, Ngui R, Beiting DP, Boey CCM, Chua KH, Cadwell K, Lim YAL, Loke P, Lee SC. Gut microbiome of helminth-infected indigenous Malaysians is context dependent. MICROBIOME 2022; 10:214. [PMID: 36476263 PMCID: PMC9727879 DOI: 10.1186/s40168-022-01385-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2022] [Accepted: 10/04/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND While microbiomes in industrialized societies are well characterized, indigenous populations with traditional lifestyles have microbiomes that are more akin to those of ancient humans. However, metagenomic data in these populations remains scarce, and the association with soil-transmitted helminth infection status is unclear. Here, we sequenced 650 metagenomes of indigenous Malaysians from five villages with different prevalence of helminth infections. RESULTS Individuals from villages with higher prevalences of helminth infections have more unmapped reads and greater microbial diversity. Microbial community diversity and composition were most strongly associated with different villages and the effects of helminth infection status on the microbiome varies by village. Longitudinal changes in the microbiome in response to albendazole anthelmintic treatment were observed in both helminth infected and uninfected individuals. Inference of bacterial population replication rates from origin of replication analysis identified specific replicating taxa associated with helminth infection. CONCLUSIONS Our results indicate that helminth effects on the microbiota were highly dependent on context, and effects of albendazole on the microbiota can be confounding for the interpretation of deworming studies. Furthermore, a substantial quantity of the microbiome remains unannotated, and this large dataset from an indigenous population associated with helminth infections is a valuable resource for future studies. Video Abstract.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mian Zi Tee
- Department of Biomedical Science, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Yi Xian Er
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Alice V Easton
- Department of Microbiology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Nan Jiun Yap
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Ii Li Lee
- Kulliyyah of Medicine and Health Sciences, University Islam Antarabangsa Sultan Abdul Halim Mu'adzam Shah, 09300, Kuala Ketil, Kedah, Malaysia
| | - Joseph Devlin
- Department of Microbiology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Ze Chen
- Department of Microbiology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Kee Seong Ng
- Department of Gastroenterology, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Poorani Subramanian
- Bioinformatics and Computational Biosciences Branch, Office of Cyber Infrastructure and Computational Biology, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Angelina Angelova
- Bioinformatics and Computational Biosciences Branch, Office of Cyber Infrastructure and Computational Biology, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Oyebola Oyesola
- Type 2 Immunity Section, Laboratory of Parasitic Diseases, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institute of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Shushan Sargsian
- Department of Microbiology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
- Kimmel Center for Biology and Medicine at the Skirball Institute, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Romano Ngui
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Daniel P Beiting
- Department of Pathobiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | | | - Kek Heng Chua
- Department of Biomedical Science, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Ken Cadwell
- Department of Microbiology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
- Kimmel Center for Biology and Medicine at the Skirball Institute, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, New York University Langone Health, New York, NY, USA
| | - Yvonne Ai Lian Lim
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
| | - P'ng Loke
- Type 2 Immunity Section, Laboratory of Parasitic Diseases, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institute of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA.
| | - Soo Ching Lee
- Type 2 Immunity Section, Laboratory of Parasitic Diseases, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institute of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA.
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12
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Sargsian S, Chen Z, Lee SC, Robertson A, Thur RS, Sproch J, Devlin JC, Tee MZ, Er YX, Copin R, Heguy A, Pironti A, Torres VJ, Ruggles KV, Lim YA, Bethony J, Loke P, Cadwell K. Clostridia isolated from helminth-colonized humans promote the life cycle of Trichuris species. Cell Rep 2022; 41:111725. [PMID: 36450245 PMCID: PMC9790084 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2022.111725] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2022] [Revised: 08/31/2022] [Accepted: 11/03/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Soil-transmitted intestinal worms known as helminths colonize over 1.5 billion people worldwide. Although helminth colonization has been associated with altered composition of the gut microbiota, such as increases in Clostridia, individual species have not been isolated and characterized. Here, we isolate and sequence the genome of 13 Clostridia from the Orang Asli, an indigenous population in Malaysia with a high prevalence of helminth infections. Metagenomic analysis of 650 fecal samples from urban and rural Malaysians confirm the prevalence of species corresponding to these isolates and reveal a specific association between Peptostreptococcaceae family members and helminth colonization. Remarkably, Peptostreptococcaceae isolated from the Orang Asli display superior capacity to promote the life cycle of whipworm species, including hatching of eggs from Trichuris muris and Trichuris trichiura. These findings support a model in which helminths select for gut colonization of microbes that support their life cycle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shushan Sargsian
- Kimmel Center for Biology and Medicine at the Skirball Institute, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA,Department of Microbiology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Ze Chen
- Department of Microbiology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Soo Ching Lee
- Type 2 Immunity Section, Laboratory of Parasitic Diseases, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Amicha Robertson
- Kimmel Center for Biology and Medicine at the Skirball Institute, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA,Department of Microbiology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Rafaela Saes Thur
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Tropical Medicine, George Washington University, Washington, DC 20052, USA
| | - Julia Sproch
- Department of Microbiology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Joseph C. Devlin
- Department of Microbiology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Mian Zi Tee
- Department of Biomedical Science, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Yi Xian Er
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Richard Copin
- Department of Microbiology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Adriana Heguy
- Genome Technology Center, Office of Science and Research, New York University Langone Health, New York, NY 10016, USA,Department of Pathology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Alejandro Pironti
- Department of Microbiology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA,Antimicrobial-Resistant Pathogens Program, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA,Microbial Computational Genomic Core Lab, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Victor J. Torres
- Department of Microbiology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA,Antimicrobial-Resistant Pathogens Program, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Kelly V. Ruggles
- Institute for System Genetics, New York University Langone Health, New York, NY 10016, USA,Division of Precision Medicine, Department of Medicine, New York University Langone Health, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Yvonne A.L. Lim
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Jeffrey Bethony
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Tropical Medicine, George Washington University, Washington, DC 20052, USA
| | - P’ng Loke
- Type 2 Immunity Section, Laboratory of Parasitic Diseases, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA,Correspondence: (P.L.), (K.C.)
| | - Ken Cadwell
- Kimmel Center for Biology and Medicine at the Skirball Institute, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA,Department of Microbiology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA,Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, New York University Langone Health, New York, NY 10016, USA,Lead contact,Correspondence: (P.L.), (K.C.)
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13
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Loke P, Lee SC, Oyesola OO. Effects of helminths on the human immune response and the microbiome. Mucosal Immunol 2022; 15:1224-1233. [PMID: 35732819 DOI: 10.1038/s41385-022-00532-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2022] [Revised: 05/17/2022] [Accepted: 05/22/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Helminths have evolved sophisticated immune regulating mechanisms to prevent rejection by their mammalian host. Our understanding of how the human immune system responds to these parasites remains poor compared to mouse models of infection and this limits our ability to develop vaccines as well as harness their unique properties as therapeutic strategies against inflammatory disorders. Here, we review how recent studies on human challenge infections, self-infected individuals, travelers, and endemic populations have improved our understanding of human type 2 immunity and its effects on the microbiome. The heterogeneity of responses between individuals and the limited access to tissue samples beyond the peripheral blood are challenges that limit human studies on helminths, but also provide opportunities to transform our understanding of human immunology. Organoids and single-cell sequencing are exciting new tools for immunological analysis that may aid this pursuit. Learning about the genetic and immunological basis of resistance, tolerance, and pathogenesis to helminth infections may thus uncover mechanisms that can be utilized for therapeutic purposes.
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Affiliation(s)
- P'ng Loke
- Laboratory of Parasitic Diseases, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA.
| | - Soo Ching Lee
- Laboratory of Parasitic Diseases, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | - Oyebola O Oyesola
- Laboratory of Parasitic Diseases, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
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14
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Castañeda S, Paniz-Mondolfi A, Ramírez JD. Detangling the Crosstalk Between Ascaris, Trichuris and Gut Microbiota: What´s Next? Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2022; 12:852900. [PMID: 35694539 PMCID: PMC9174645 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2022.852900] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2022] [Accepted: 04/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Helminth infections remain a global public health issue, particularly in low- and middle-income countries, where roundworms from theTrichuris and Ascaris genera are most prevalent. These geohelminths not only impact human health but most importantly also affect animal well-being, in particular the swine industry. Host-helminth parasite interactions are complex and at the same time essential to understand the biology, dynamics and pathophysiology of these infections. Within these interactions, the immunomodulatory capacity of these helminths in the host has been extensively studied. Moreover, in recent years a growing interest on how helminths interact with the intestinal microbiota of the host has sparked, highlighting how this relationship plays an essential role in the establishment of initial infection, survival and persistence of the parasite, as well as in the development of chronic infections. Identifying the changes generated by these helminths on the composition and structure of the host intestinal microbiota constitutes a field of great scientific interest, since this can provide essential and actionable information for designing effective control and therapeutic strategies. Helminths like Trichuris and Ascaris are a focus of special importance due to their high prevalence, higher reinfection rates, resistance to anthelmintic therapy and unavailability of vaccines. Therefore, characterizing interactions between these helminths and the host intestinal microbiota represents an important approach to better understand the nature of this dynamic interface and explore novel therapeutic alternatives based on management of host microbiota. Given the extraordinary impact this may have from a biological, clinical, and epidemiological public health standpoint, this review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of current knowledge and future perspectives examining the parasite-microbiota interplay and its impact on host immunity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sergio Castañeda
- Centro de Investigaciones en Microbiología y Biotecnología-UR (CIMBIUR), Facultad de Ciencias Naturales, Universidad del Rosario, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Alberto Paniz-Mondolfi
- Molecular Microbiology Laboratory, Department of Pathology, Molecular and Cell-Based Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United States
| | - Juan David Ramírez
- Centro de Investigaciones en Microbiología y Biotecnología-UR (CIMBIUR), Facultad de Ciencias Naturales, Universidad del Rosario, Bogotá, Colombia
- Molecular Microbiology Laboratory, Department of Pathology, Molecular and Cell-Based Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United States
- *Correspondence: Juan David Ramírez, ;
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15
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Pereira de Araújo M, Sato MO, Sato M, Bandara WM KM, Coelho LFL, Souza RLM, Kawai S, Marques MJ. Unbalanced relationships: insights into the interaction between gut microbiota, geohelminths, and schistosomiasis. PeerJ 2022; 10:e13401. [PMID: 35539016 PMCID: PMC9080432 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.13401] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2021] [Accepted: 04/17/2022] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Hosts and their microbiota and parasites have co-evolved in an adaptative relationship since ancient times. The interaction between parasites and intestinal bacteria in terms of the hosts' health is currently a subject of great research interest. Therapeutic interventions can include manipulations of the structure of the intestinal microbiota, which have immunological interactions important for modulating the host's immune system and for reducing inflammation. Most helminths are intestinal parasites; the intestinal environment provides complex interactions with other microorganisms in which internal and external factors can influence the composition of the intestinal microbiota. Moreover, helminths and intestinal microorganisms can modulate the host's immune system either beneficially or harmfully. The immune response can be reduced due to co-infection, and bacteria from the intestinal microbiota can translocate to other organs. In this way, the treatment can be compromised, which, together with drug resistance by the parasites makes healing even more difficult. Thus, this work aimed to understand interactions between the microbiota and parasitic diseases caused by the most important geohelminths and schistosomiasis and the consequences of these associations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matheus Pereira de Araújo
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Universidade Federal de Alfenas, Alfenas, Minas Gerais, Brazil,Laboratory of Tropical Medicine and Parasitology, Dokkyo Medical University, Mibu, Tochigi, Japan
| | - Marcello Otake Sato
- Laboratory of Tropical Medicine and Parasitology, Dokkyo Medical University, Mibu, Tochigi, Japan
| | - Megumi Sato
- Graduate School of Health Sciences, Niigata University, Niigata, Niigata, Japan
| | | | | | | | - Satoru Kawai
- Laboratory of Tropical Medicine and Parasitology, Dokkyo Medical University, Mibu, Tochigi, Japan
| | - Marcos José Marques
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Universidade Federal de Alfenas, Alfenas, Minas Gerais, Brazil
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16
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Papaiakovou M, Littlewood DTJ, Doyle SR, Gasser RB, Cantacessi C. Worms and bugs of the gut: the search for diagnostic signatures using barcoding, and metagenomics-metabolomics. Parasit Vectors 2022; 15:118. [PMID: 35365192 PMCID: PMC8973539 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-022-05225-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2022] [Accepted: 02/25/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Gastrointestinal (GI) helminth infections cause significant morbidity in both humans and animals worldwide. Specific and sensitive diagnosis is central to the surveillance of such infections and to determine the effectiveness of treatment strategies used to control them. In this article, we: (i) assess the strengths and limitations of existing methods applied to the diagnosis of GI helminth infections of humans and livestock; (ii) examine high-throughput sequencing approaches, such as targeted molecular barcoding and shotgun sequencing, as tools to define the taxonomic composition of helminth infections; and (iii) discuss the current understanding of the interactions between helminths and microbiota in the host gut. Stool-based diagnostics are likely to serve as an important tool well into the future; improved diagnostics of helminths and their environment in the gut may assist the identification of biomarkers with the potential to define the health/disease status of individuals and populations, and to identify existing or emerging anthelmintic resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marina Papaiakovou
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB3 0ES UK
- Department of Life Sciences, Natural History Museum, Cromwell Road, London, SW7 5BD UK
| | | | | | - Robin B. Gasser
- Melbourne Veterinary School, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010 Australia
| | - Cinzia Cantacessi
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB3 0ES UK
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17
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Relevance of Helminth-Microbiota Interplay in the Host Immune Response. Cell Immunol 2022; 374:104499. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cellimm.2022.104499] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2021] [Revised: 02/27/2022] [Accepted: 03/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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18
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Intestinal permeability before and after albendazole treatment in low and high socioeconomic status schoolchildren in Makassar, Indonesia. Sci Rep 2022; 12:3394. [PMID: 35233023 PMCID: PMC8888571 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-07086-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2021] [Accepted: 02/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Intestinal helminths are highly prevalent in low-SES children and could contribute to poor health outcomes either directly or via alteration of the gut microbiome and gut barrier function. We analysed parasitic infections and gut microbiota composition in 325 children attending high- and low-SES schools in Makassar, Indonesia before and after albendazole treatment. Lactulose/Mannitol Ratio (LMR, a marker of gut permeability); I-FABP (a surrogate marker of intestinal damage) as well as inflammatory markers (LBP) were measured. Helminth infections were highly prevalent (65.6%) in low-SES children. LMR and I-FABP levels were higher in low-SES children (geomean (95%CI): 4.03 (3.67-4.42) vs. 3.22 (2.91-3.57); p. adj < 0.001; and 1.57 (1.42-1.74) vs. 1.25 (1.13-1.38); p. adj = 0.02, respectively) while LBP levels were lower compared to the high-SES (19.39 (17.09-22.01) vs. 22.74 (20.07-26.12); p.adj = 0.01). Albendazole reduced helminth infections in low-SES and also decreased LMR with 11% reduction but only in helminth-uninfected children (estimated treatment effect: 0.89; p.adj = 0.01). Following treatment, I-FABP decreased in high- (0.91, p.adj < 0.001) but increased (1.12, p.adj = 0.004) in low-SES children. Albendazole did not alter the levels of LBP. Microbiota analysis showed no contribution from specific bacterial-taxa to the changes observed. Intestinal permeability and epithelial damage are higher while peripheral blood inflammatory marker is lower in children of low-SES in Indonesia. Furthermore, treatment decreased LMR in helminth-uninfected only.
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19
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Helminth-Induced Human Gastrointestinal Dysbiosis: a Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Reveals Insights into Altered Taxon Diversity and Microbial Gradient Collapse. mBio 2021; 12:e0289021. [PMID: 34933444 PMCID: PMC8689561 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.02890-21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
High-throughput 16S rRNA sequencing has allowed the characterization of helminth-uninfected (HU) and helminth-infected (HI) gut microbiomes, revealing distinct profiles. However, there have been no qualitative or quantitative syntheses of these studies, which show marked variation in participant age, diet, pathogen of interest, and study location. A predefined minimally biased search strategy identified 23 studies in humans. For each of these studies, we qualitatively addressed the effects of helminth infection on within-individual (alpha) and between-individual (beta) fecal microbiome diversity, infection-associated microbial taxa, the effect of helminth clearance on microbiome composition, microbiome composition as a predictor of infection status or treatment outcome, and treatment-specific effects on the fecal microbiome. Concomitantly, we performed a meta-analysis on a subset of 7 of these studies containing raw, paired-end 16S reads and individual-level metadata, comprising 424 pretreatment or untreated HI individuals and 497 HU controls. After reducing the batch effect and adjusting for age, our data demonstrated that intestinal helminth parasites can alter the host gut microbiome by increasing alpha diversity and promoting taxonomic reassortment and gradient collapse. Most strongly influencing the microbiome composition were the helminths found in the large intestine, Enterobius vermicularis and Trichuris trichiura, suggesting that this influence appears to be specific to soil-transmitted helminths (STH) species and host anatomical niche. In summary, using a large and diverse sample set captured in the meta-analysis, we were able to evaluate the influence of individual helminth species as well as species-species interactions, each of which explained a significant portion of the variation in the microbiome.
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20
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Allali I, Abotsi RE, Tow LA, Thabane L, Zar HJ, Mulder NM, Nicol MP. Human microbiota research in Africa: a systematic review reveals gaps and priorities for future research. MICROBIOME 2021; 9:241. [PMID: 34911583 PMCID: PMC8672519 DOI: 10.1186/s40168-021-01195-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2020] [Accepted: 11/14/2021] [Indexed: 05/11/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The role of the human microbiome in health and disease is an emerging and important area of research; however, there is a concern that African populations are under-represented in human microbiome studies. We, therefore, conducted a systematic survey of African human microbiome studies to provide an overview and identify research gaps. Our secondary objectives were: (i) to determine the number of peer-reviewed publications; (ii) to identify the extent to which the researches focused on diseases identified by the World Health Organization [WHO] State of Health in the African Region Report as being the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in 2018; (iii) to describe the extent and pattern of collaborations between researchers in Africa and the rest of the world; and (iv) to identify leadership and funders of the studies. METHODOLOGY We systematically searched Medline via PubMed, Scopus, CINAHL, Academic Search Premier, Africa-Wide Information through EBSCOhost, and Web of Science from inception through to 1st April 2020. We included studies that characterized samples from African populations using next-generation sequencing approaches. Two reviewers independently conducted the literature search, title and abstract, and full-text screening, as well as data extraction. RESULTS We included 168 studies out of 5515 records retrieved. Most studies were published in PLoS One (13%; 22/168), and samples were collected from 33 of the 54 African countries. The country where most studies were conducted was South Africa (27/168), followed by Kenya (23/168) and Uganda (18/168). 26.8% (45/168) focused on diseases of significant public health concern in Africa. Collaboration between scientists from the United States of America and Africa was most common (96/168). The first and/or last authors of 79.8% of studies were not affiliated with institutions in Africa. Major funders were the United States of America National Institutes of Health (45.2%; 76/168), Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation (17.8%; 30/168), and the European Union (11.9%; 20/168). CONCLUSIONS There are significant gaps in microbiome research in Africa, especially those focusing on diseases of public health importance. There is a need for local leadership, capacity building, intra-continental collaboration, and national government investment in microbiome research within Africa. Video Abstract.
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Affiliation(s)
- Imane Allali
- Computational Biology Division, Department of Integrative Biomedical Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
- Laboratory of Human Pathologies Biology, Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, and Genomic Centre of Human Pathologies, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, Mohammed V University in Rabat, Rabat, Morocco
- Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Regina E Abotsi
- Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
- Department of Pharmaceutical Microbiology, School of Pharmacy, University of Health and Allied Sciences, Ho, Ghana
| | - Lemese Ah Tow
- Division of Medical Microbiology, Department of Pathology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Lehana Thabane
- Department of Health Research Methods, Evidence and Impact, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
- Biostatistics Unit, Father Sean O'Sullivan Research Centre, St Joseph's Healthcare, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
- Departments of Paediatrics and Anaesthesia, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
- Centre for Evaluation of Medicine, St Joseph's Healthcare, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
- Population Health Research Institute, Hamilton Health Sciences, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
- Centre for Evidence-based Health Care, Faculty of Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Tygerberg, South Africa
- Department of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Heather J Zar
- Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Red Cross War Memorial Children's Hospital, Cape Town, South Africa
- MRC Unit on Child & Adolescent Health, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Nicola M Mulder
- Computational Biology Division, Department of Integrative Biomedical Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
- Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Mark P Nicol
- Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa.
- Division of Medical Microbiology, Department of Pathology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa.
- School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Western Australia, M504, Perth, WA, 6009, Australia.
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21
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Vasco K, Nohomovich B, Singh P, Venegas-Vargas C, Mosci RE, Rust S, Bartlett P, Norby B, Grooms D, Zhang L, Manning SD. Characterizing the Cattle Gut Microbiome in Farms with a High and Low Prevalence of Shiga Toxin Producing Escherichia coli. Microorganisms 2021; 9:microorganisms9081737. [PMID: 34442815 PMCID: PMC8399351 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms9081737] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2021] [Revised: 08/06/2021] [Accepted: 08/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Cattle are the main reservoirs of Shiga toxin producing Escherichia coli (STEC), a major foodborne pathogen associated with acute enteric disease and hemolytic-uremic syndrome in humans. A total of 397 beef and dairy cattle from 5 farms were included in this study, of which 660 samples were collected for 16S rRNA gene sequencing. The microbiota of farms with a high-STEC prevalence (HSP) had greater richness compared to those of farms with a low-STEC prevalence (LSP). Longitudinal analyses showed STEC-shedders from LSP farms had higher microbiome diversity; meanwhile, changes in the microbiome composition in HSP farms were independent of the STEC shedding status. Most of the bacterial genera associated with STEC shedding in dairy farms were also correlated with differences in the percentage of forage in diet and risk factors of STEC carriage such as days in milk, number of lactations, and warm temperatures. Identifying factors that alter the gut microbiota and enable STEC colonization in livestock could lead to novel strategies to prevent fecal shedding and the subsequent transmission to humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karla Vasco
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA; (K.V.); (B.N.); (P.S.); (R.E.M.); (L.Z.)
| | - Brian Nohomovich
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA; (K.V.); (B.N.); (P.S.); (R.E.M.); (L.Z.)
| | - Pallavi Singh
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA; (K.V.); (B.N.); (P.S.); (R.E.M.); (L.Z.)
| | - Cristina Venegas-Vargas
- Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, College Veterinary Medicine, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA; (C.V.-V.); (P.B.); (B.N.); (D.G.)
| | - Rebekah E. Mosci
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA; (K.V.); (B.N.); (P.S.); (R.E.M.); (L.Z.)
| | - Steven Rust
- Department of Animal Science, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA;
| | - Paul Bartlett
- Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, College Veterinary Medicine, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA; (C.V.-V.); (P.B.); (B.N.); (D.G.)
| | - Bo Norby
- Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, College Veterinary Medicine, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA; (C.V.-V.); (P.B.); (B.N.); (D.G.)
| | - Daniel Grooms
- Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, College Veterinary Medicine, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA; (C.V.-V.); (P.B.); (B.N.); (D.G.)
| | - Lixin Zhang
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA; (K.V.); (B.N.); (P.S.); (R.E.M.); (L.Z.)
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA
| | - Shannon D. Manning
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA; (K.V.); (B.N.); (P.S.); (R.E.M.); (L.Z.)
- Correspondence:
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22
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Nel Van Zyl K, Whitelaw AC, Hesseling AC, Seddon JA, Demers AM, Newton-Foot M. Association between clinical and environmental factors and the gut microbiota profiles in young South African children. Sci Rep 2021; 11:15895. [PMID: 34354176 PMCID: PMC8342602 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-95409-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2021] [Accepted: 07/23/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Differences in the microbiota in populations over age and geographical locations complicate cross-study comparisons, and it is therefore essential to describe the baseline or control microbiota in each population. This includes the determination of the influence of demographic, clinical and environmental factors on the microbiota in a setting, and elucidates possible bias introduced by these factors, prior to further investigations. Little is known about the microbiota of children in South Africa after infancy. We provide a detailed description of the gut microbiota profiles of children from urban Cape Town and describe the influences of various clinical and environmental factors in different age groups during the first 5 years of life. Prevotella was the most common genus identified in the participants, and after infancy, the gut bacteria were dominated by Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes. In this setting, children exposed to antibiotics and indoor cooking fires were at the most risk for dysbiosis, showing significant losses in gut bacterial diversity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristien Nel Van Zyl
- Division of Medical Microbiology, Department of Pathology, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, South Africa.
| | - Andrew C Whitelaw
- Division of Medical Microbiology, Department of Pathology, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, South Africa
- National Health Laboratory Service, Tygerberg Hospital, Cape Town, South Africa
- African Microbiome Institute, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, South Africa
| | - Anneke C Hesseling
- Desmond Tutu TB Centre, Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, South Africa
| | - James A Seddon
- Desmond Tutu TB Centre, Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, South Africa
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Anne-Marie Demers
- Desmond Tutu TB Centre, Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, South Africa
| | - Mae Newton-Foot
- Division of Medical Microbiology, Department of Pathology, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, South Africa
- National Health Laboratory Service, Tygerberg Hospital, Cape Town, South Africa
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23
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Stracke K, Adisakwattana P, Phuanukoonnon S, Yoonuan T, Poodeepiyasawat A, Dekumyoy P, Chaisiri K, Roth Schulze A, Wilcox S, Karunajeewa H, Traub RJ, Jex AR. Field evaluation of the gut microbiome composition of pre-school and school-aged children in Tha Song Yang, Thailand, following oral MDA for STH infections. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2021; 15:e0009597. [PMID: 34310596 PMCID: PMC8341710 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0009597] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2021] [Revised: 08/05/2021] [Accepted: 06/25/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Soil-transmitted helminths, such as roundworms (Ascaris lumbricoides), whipworms (Trichuris trichiura) and hookworms (Necator americanus and Ancylostoma spp.), are gastrointestinal parasites that occur predominantly in low- to middle-income countries worldwide and disproportionally impact children. Depending on the STH species, health status of the host and infection intensity, direct impacts of these parasites include malnutrition, anaemia, diarrhoea and physical and cognitive stunting. The indirect consequences of these infections are less well understood. Specifically, gastrointestinal infections may exert acute or chronic impacts on the natural gut microfauna, leading to increased risk of post-infectious gastrointestinal disorders, and reduced gut and overall health through immunomodulating mechanisms. To date a small number of preliminary studies have assessed the impact of helminths on the gut microbiome, but these studies are conflicting. Here, we assessed STH burden in 273 pre-school and school-aged children in Tha Song Yang district, Tak province, Thailand receiving annual oral mebendazole treatment. Ascaris lumbricoides (107/273) and Trichuris trichiura (100/273) were the most prevalent species and often occurred as co-infections (66/273). Ancylostoma ceylanicum was detected in a small number of children as well (n = 3). All of these infections were of low intensity (<4,999 or 999 eggs per gram for Ascaris and Trichuris respectively). Using this information, we characterised the baseline gut microbiome profile and investigated acute STH-induced alterations, comparing infected with uninfected children at the time of sampling. We found no difference between these groups in bacterial alpha-diversity, but did observe differences in beta-diversity and specific differentially abundant OTUs, including increased Akkermansia muciniphila and Bacteroides coprophilus, and reduced Bifidobacterium adolescentis, each of which have been previously implicated in STH-associated changes in the gut microfauna. Soil-transmitted helminth infections exhibit a significant negative impact on population health worldwide. In particular in endemic regions sub-groups such as children suffer disproportionally from infection due to impoverished living conditions. Yet many of these regions have no or limited availability of infection prevalence data to inform intervention strategies. Application of low sensitivity diagnostic tools such as microscopy exacerbate this issue. Moving towards molecular tools is key in order to establish a more accurate and complete epidemiological profile that can serve as a reference standard for future studies. Recently, a number of studies investigated the microbiota as an important factor determining overall patient health. The gut microbiota can be altered through medication, lifestyle factors and co-inhabitation of the same environmental niche with STHs. However, these microbiota studies often lack a characterised baseline. The current study provides baseline epidemiology data for a cohort of pre-school and school-age Thai children using a molecular diagnostic technique. We estimate the STH infection prevalence and intensity and characterise the host gut microbiota profile at a single cross-sectional timepoint comparing infected with uninfected children. This data can serve as a starting point for future studies investigating the impact of environmental factors and parasitic infections on patient health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katharina Stracke
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Department of Medical Biology, The Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- * E-mail:
| | - Poom Adisakwattana
- Department of Helminthology, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Suparat Phuanukoonnon
- Social and Environmental Medicine, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Tippayarat Yoonuan
- Department of Helminthology, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Akkarin Poodeepiyasawat
- Department of Helminthology, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Paron Dekumyoy
- Department of Helminthology, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Kittipong Chaisiri
- Department of Helminthology, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | | | - Stephen Wilcox
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Harin Karunajeewa
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Department of Medicine–Western Health, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Rebecca J. Traub
- Department of Veterinary Biosciences, Faculty for Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Aaron R. Jex
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Department of Veterinary Biosciences, Faculty for Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
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24
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The impact of Opisthorchis felineus infection and praziquantel treatment on the intestinal microbiota in children. Acta Trop 2021; 217:105835. [PMID: 33485871 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2021.105835] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2020] [Revised: 12/31/2020] [Accepted: 01/12/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
The presence of some species of helminths is associated with changes in host microbiota composition and diversity, which varies widely depending on the infecting helminth species and other factors. We conducted a prospective case-control study to evaluate the gut microbiota in children with Opisthorchis felineus infection (n=50) before and after anthelmintic treatment and in uninfected children (n=49) in the endemic region. A total of 99 children and adolescents aged between 7 and 18 years were enrolled to the study. Helminth infection was assessed before and at 3 months after treatment with praziquantel. A complex examination for each participant was performed in the study, including an assessment of the clinical symptoms and an intestinal microbiota survey by 16S rRNA gene sequencing of stool samples. There was no change in alpha diversity between O. felineus-infected and control groups. We found significant changes in the abundances of bacterial taxa at different taxonomic levels between the infected and uninfected individuals. Enterobacteriaceae family was more abundant in infected participants compared to uninfected children. On the genus level, O. felineus-infected participants' microbiota showed higher levels of Lachnospira, Escherichia-Shigella, Bacteroides, Eubacterium eligens group, Ruminiclostridium 6, Barnesiella, Oscillibacter, Faecalitalea and Anaerosporobacter and reduction of Blautia, Lachnospiraceae FCS020 and Eubacterium hallii group in comparison with the uninfected individuals. Following praziquantel therapy, there were significant differences in abundances of some microorganisms, including an increase of Faecalibacterium and decrease of Megasphaera, Roseburia. Enterobacteriaceae and Escherichia abundances were decreased up to the control group values. Our results highlight the importance of the host-parasite-microbiota interactions for the community health in the endemic regions.
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25
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Rosa BA, Snowden C, Martin J, Fischer K, Kupritz J, Beshah E, Supali T, Gankpala L, Fischer PU, Urban JF, Mitreva M. Whipworm-Associated Intestinal Microbiome Members Consistent Across Both Human and Mouse Hosts. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2021; 11:637570. [PMID: 33777847 PMCID: PMC7991909 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2021.637570] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2020] [Accepted: 02/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The human whipworm Trichuris trichiura infects 289 million people worldwide, resulting in substantial morbidity. Whipworm infections are difficult to treat due to low cure rates and high reinfection rates. Interactions between whipworm and its host's intestinal microbiome present a potential novel target for infection control or prevention but are very complicated and are identified using inconsistent methodology and sample types across the literature, limiting their potential usefulness. Here, we used a combined 16S rRNA gene OTU analysis approach (QIIME2) for samples from humans and mice infected with whipworm (T. trichiura and T. muris, respectively) to identify for the first time, bacterial taxa that were consistently associated with whipworm infection spanning host species and infection status using four independent comparisons (baseline infected vs uninfected and before vs after deworming for both humans and mice). Using these four comparisons, we identified significant positive associations for seven taxa including Escherichia, which has been identified to induce whipworm egg hatching, and Bacteroides, which has previously been identified as a major component of the whipworm internal microbiome. We additionally identified significant negative associations for five taxa including four members of the order Clostridiales, two from the family Lachnospiraceae, including Blautia which was previously identified as positively associated with whipworm in independent human and mouse studies. Using this approach, bacterial taxa of interest for future association and mechanistic studies were identified, and several were validated by RT-qPCR. We demonstrate the applicability of a mouse animal model for comparison to human whipworm infections with respect to whipworm-induced intestinal microbiome disruption and subsequent restoration following deworming. Overall, the novel cross-species analysis approach utilized here provides a valuable research tool for studies of the interaction between whipworm infection and the host intestinal microbiome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bruce A. Rosa
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, United States
| | - Caroline Snowden
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, United States
| | - John Martin
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, United States
| | - Kerstin Fischer
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, United States
| | - Jonah Kupritz
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, United States
| | - Ethiopia Beshah
- U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Beltsville Agricultural Research Center, Animal Parasitic Diseases Laboratory, Beltsville, MD, United States
| | - Taniawati Supali
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Indonesia, Jakarta, Indonesia
| | - Lincoln Gankpala
- Public Health and Medical Research, National Public Health Institute of Liberia, Charlesville, Liberia
| | - Peter U. Fischer
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, United States
| | - Joseph F. Urban
- U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Beltsville Agricultural Research Center, Animal Parasitic Diseases Laboratory, Beltsville, MD, United States
| | - Makedonka Mitreva
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, United States
- Department of Genetics, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, United States
- McDonnell Genome Institute, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, United States
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26
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Molecular characteristics of Staphylococcus aureus isolates colonizing human nares and skin. MEDICINE IN MICROECOLOGY 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.medmic.2020.100031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
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27
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Moon CD, Carvalho L, Kirk MR, McCulloch AF, Kittelmann S, Young W, Janssen PH, Leathwick DM. Effects of long-acting, broad spectra anthelmintic treatments on the rumen microbial community compositions of grazing sheep. Sci Rep 2021; 11:3836. [PMID: 33589656 PMCID: PMC7884727 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-82815-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2020] [Accepted: 01/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Anthelmintic treatment of adult ewes is widely practiced to remove parasite burdens in the expectation of increased ruminant productivity. However, the broad activity spectra of many anthelmintic compounds raises the possibility of impacts on the rumen microbiota. To investigate this, 300 grazing ewes were allocated to treatment groups that included a 100-day controlled release capsule (CRC) containing albendazole and abamectin, a long-acting moxidectin injection (LAI), and a non-treated control group (CON). Rumen bacterial, archaeal and protozoal communities at day 0 were analysed to identify 36 sheep per treatment with similar starting compositions. Microbiota profiles, including those for the rumen fungi, were then generated for the selected sheep at days 0, 35 and 77. The CRC treatment significantly impacted the archaeal community, and was associated with increased relative abundances of Methanobrevibacter ruminantium, Methanosphaera sp. ISO3-F5, and Methanomassiliicoccaceae Group 12 sp. ISO4-H5 compared to the control group. In contrast, the LAI treatment increased the relative abundances of members of the Veillonellaceae and resulted in minor changes to the bacterial and fungal communities by day 77. Overall, the anthelmintic treatments resulted in few, but highly significant, changes to the rumen microbiota composition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christina D Moon
- Grasslands Research Centre, AgResearch Limited, Palmerston North, New Zealand.
| | - Luis Carvalho
- Grasslands Research Centre, AgResearch Limited, Palmerston North, New Zealand
| | - Michelle R Kirk
- Grasslands Research Centre, AgResearch Limited, Palmerston North, New Zealand
| | - Alan F McCulloch
- Invermay Research Centre, AgResearch Limited, Mosgiel, New Zealand
| | - Sandra Kittelmann
- Wilmar International Limited, WIL@NUS Corporate Laboratory, Centre for Translational Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Wayne Young
- Grasslands Research Centre, AgResearch Limited, Palmerston North, New Zealand
| | - Peter H Janssen
- Grasslands Research Centre, AgResearch Limited, Palmerston North, New Zealand
| | - Dave M Leathwick
- Grasslands Research Centre, AgResearch Limited, Palmerston North, New Zealand
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28
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Abstract
![]()
Helminths
represent a diverse category of parasitic organisms that
can thrive within a host for years, if not decades, in the absence
of treatment. As such, they must establish mechanisms to subsist off
their hosts, evade the immune system, and develop a niche among the
other cohabiting microbial communities. The complex interplay of biologically
small molecules (collectively known as the metabolome) derived from,
utilized by, or in response to the presence of helminths within a
host is an emerging field of study. In this Perspective, we briefly
summarize the current existing literature, categorize key host–pathogen–microbiome
interfaces that could be studied in the context of the metabolome,
and provide background on mass spectrometry-based metabolomic methodology.
Overall, we hope to provide a comprehensive guide for utilizing metabolomics
in the context of helminthic disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeffrey D. Whitman
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California 94110, United States
| | - Judy A. Sakanari
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California 94158, United States
| | - Makedonka Mitreva
- Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri 63130, United States
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29
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Moustafa MAM, Chel HM, Thu MJ, Bawm S, Htun LL, Win MM, Oo ZM, Ohsawa N, Lahdenperä M, Mohamed WMA, Ito K, Nonaka N, Nakao R, Katakura K. Anthropogenic interferences lead to gut microbiome dysbiosis in Asian elephants and may alter adaptation processes to surrounding environments. Sci Rep 2021; 11:741. [PMID: 33436882 PMCID: PMC7803949 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-80537-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2020] [Accepted: 12/16/2020] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Human activities interfere with wild animals and lead to the loss of many animal populations. Therefore, efforts have been made to understand how wildlife can rebound from anthropogenic disturbances. An essential mechanism to adapt to environmental and social changes is the fluctuations in the host gut microbiome. Here we give a comprehensive description of anthropogenically induced microbiome alterations in Asian elephants (n = 30). We detected gut microbial changes due to overseas translocation, captivity and deworming. We found that microbes belonging to Planococcaceae had the highest contribution in the microbiome alterations after translocation, while Clostridiaceae, Spirochaetaceae and Bacteroidia were the most affected after captivity. However, deworming significantly changed the abundance of Flavobacteriaceae, Sphingobacteriaceae, Xanthomonadaceae, Weeksellaceae and Burkholderiaceae. These findings may provide fundamental ideas to help guide the preservation tactics and probiotic replacement therapies of a dysbiosed gut microbiome in Asian elephants. More generally, these results show the severity of anthropogenic activities at the level of gut microbiome, altering the adaptation processes to new environments and the subsequent capability to maintain normal physiological processes in animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohamed Abdallah Mohamed Moustafa
- Laboratory of Parasitology, Graduate School of Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido University, Kita 18 Nishi 9, Kita-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido, 060-0818, Japan
- Department of Animal Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, South Valley University, Qena, Egypt
| | - Hla Myet Chel
- Laboratory of Parasitology, Graduate School of Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido University, Kita 18 Nishi 9, Kita-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido, 060-0818, Japan
- Department of Pharmacology and Parasitology, University of Veterinary Science, Yezin, Nay Pyi Taw, 15013, Myanmar
| | - May June Thu
- Laboratory of Parasitology, Graduate School of Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido University, Kita 18 Nishi 9, Kita-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido, 060-0818, Japan
- Department of Food and Drug Administration, Ministry of Health and Sports, Zabu Thiri, Nay Pyi Taw, 15011, Myanmar
| | - Saw Bawm
- Department of Pharmacology and Parasitology, University of Veterinary Science, Yezin, Nay Pyi Taw, 15013, Myanmar
| | - Lat Lat Htun
- Department of Pharmacology and Parasitology, University of Veterinary Science, Yezin, Nay Pyi Taw, 15013, Myanmar
| | - Mar Mar Win
- Rector Office, University of Veterinary Science, Yezin, Nay Pyi Taw, 15013, Myanmar
| | - Zaw Min Oo
- Department of Extraction, Myanma Timber Enterprise, Insein, Yangon, Myanmar
| | | | - Mirkka Lahdenperä
- Department of Public Health, Turku University Hospital, University of Turku, Turku, Finland
| | | | - Kimihito Ito
- Division of Bioinformatics, Research Center for Zoonosis Control, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, 001-0020, Japan
| | - Nariaki Nonaka
- Laboratory of Parasitology, Graduate School of Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido University, Kita 18 Nishi 9, Kita-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido, 060-0818, Japan
| | - Ryo Nakao
- Laboratory of Parasitology, Graduate School of Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido University, Kita 18 Nishi 9, Kita-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido, 060-0818, Japan.
| | - Ken Katakura
- Laboratory of Parasitology, Graduate School of Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido University, Kita 18 Nishi 9, Kita-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido, 060-0818, Japan
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30
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Ducarmon QR, Hoogerwerf MA, Janse JJ, Geelen AR, Koopman JPR, Zwittink RD, Goeman JJ, Kuijper EJ, Roestenberg M. Dynamics of the bacterial gut microbiota during controlled human infection with Necator americanus larvae. Gut Microbes 2020; 12:1-15. [PMID: 33222610 PMCID: PMC7714523 DOI: 10.1080/19490976.2020.1840764] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Hookworms are soil-transmitted helminths that use immune-evasive strategies to persist in the human duodenum where they are responsible for anemia and protein loss. Given their location and immune regulatory effects, hookworms likely impact the bacterial microbiota. However, microbiota studies struggle to deconvolute the effect of hookworms from confounders such as coinfections and malnutrition. We thus used an experimental human hookworm infection model to explore temporal changes in the gut microbiota before and during hookworm infection. Volunteers were dermally exposed to cumulative dosages of 50, 100 or 150 L3 Necator americanus larvae. Fecal samples were collected for microbiota profiling through 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing at weeks zero, four, eight, fourteen and twenty. During the acute infection phase (trial week zero to eight) no changes in bacterial diversity were detected. During the established infection phase (trial week eight to twenty), bacterial richness (Chao1, p = .0174) increased significantly over all volunteers. No relation was found between larval dosage and diversity, stability or relative abundance of individual bacterial taxa. GI symptoms were associated with an unstable microbiota during the first eight weeks and rapid recovery at week twenty. Barnesiella, amongst other taxa, was more abundant in volunteers with more GI symptoms throughout the study. In conclusion, this study showed that clinical GI symptoms following N. americanus infection are associated with temporary microbiota instability and relative abundance of specific bacterial taxa. These results suggest a possible role of hookworm-induced enteritis on microbiota stability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Q. R. Ducarmon
- Center for Microbiome Analyses and Therapeutics, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands,Department of Medical Microbiology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands,CONTACT Meta Roestenberg Department of Parasitology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands; Department of Infectious Diseases, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - M. A. Hoogerwerf
- Department of Parasitology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - J. J. Janse
- Department of Parasitology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - A. R. Geelen
- Center for Microbiome Analyses and Therapeutics, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands,Department of Medical Microbiology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - J. P. R. Koopman
- Department of Parasitology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - R. D. Zwittink
- Center for Microbiome Analyses and Therapeutics, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands,Department of Medical Microbiology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - J. J. Goeman
- Department of Biomedical Data Sciences, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
| | - E. J. Kuijper
- Center for Microbiome Analyses and Therapeutics, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands,Department of Medical Microbiology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - M. Roestenberg
- Department of Parasitology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands,Department of Infectious Diseases, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
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Effect of anthelmintic treatment on serum free IGF-1 and IGFBP-3: a cluster-randomized-controlled trial in Indonesia. Sci Rep 2020; 10:19023. [PMID: 33149205 PMCID: PMC7643058 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-75781-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2020] [Accepted: 10/05/2020] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
In children, soil-transmitted helminth infections have been linked to poor nutritional status and growth retardation in association with lower levels of IGF-1. In adults, IGF-1 has an anabolic and metabolic function and is related to nutritional status. Here, we assessed the impact of helminth infection on free IGF-1 and its major binding protein, IGFBP-3, in adults. The levels of IGF-1 and IGFBP3 were measured in 1669 subjects aged ≥ 16 years, before and after receiving four rounds of albendazole 400 mg/day or matching placebo for three consecutive days. Helminth infection status was assessed by microscopy (Kato-Katz) and PCR. Serum free IGF-1 level was significantly lower in helminth-infected subjects [mean difference and 95% CI − 0.068 (− 0.103; − 0.033), P < 0.001 after adjustment for age, sex, body mass index, and fasting insulin level]. There was no difference in IGFBP-3 level between helminth infected versus non-infected subjects. In the whole study population, albendazole treatment significantly increased serum free IGF-1 level [estimate and 95% CI 0.031 (0.004; − 0.057), P = 0.024] whereas no effect was found on the IGFBP-3 level. Our study showed that helminth infection in adults is associated with lower free IGF-1 levels but not with IGFBP-3 and albendazole treatment significantly increases free IGF-1 levels in the study population. Clinical Trial Registration: https://www.isrctn.com/ISRCTN75636394.
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The Bacterial Microbiome in the Small Intestine of Hooded Seals ( Cystophora cristata). Microorganisms 2020; 8:microorganisms8111664. [PMID: 33121092 PMCID: PMC7693863 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms8111664] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2020] [Revised: 10/22/2020] [Accepted: 10/23/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Arctic hooded seals (Cystophora cristata) are monogastric carnivores that go through extreme fasting and re-feeding in early life. They are born isolated on sea ice; suckle high-fat milk for four days and may then fast for up to one month before they start hunting and feeding on small prey (fish and crustaceans). Previous studies of the gut microbiota in pinnipeds have focused on the large intestine, while little data exist on the small intestinal microbiota. In this study, the bacterial microbiome in the proximal and distal small intestine of four captive two-year old seals (two males and two females) fed herring (Clupea harengus) was sampled post-mortem and characterized using 16S rRNA metabarcoding from the V1–V3 hypervariable region of the 16S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) genes. The seals were originally born in the wild and taken into human care at the end of the suckling period. Molecular-based analysis using Illumina Hiseq resulted in 569,910 16S rRNA sequences from the four seals (both sampling sites together). Taxonomical classification applying a naive Bayesian algorithm gave 412 Operational Taxonomic Units (OTUs). Firmicutes was the major phylum across samples (Proximal (P): 90.5% of total sequences, on average; Distal (D): 94.5%), followed by Actinobacteria (P: 7%; D: 0.3%) and Proteobacteria (P: 1.7%; D: 1.9%). Bacterial spp. belonging to the Clostridium (P: 54.1%; D: 41.6%) and SMB53 (P: 15.3%; D: 21.5%) constituted the major genera in both the proximal and distal small intestine. Furthermore, comparison with hindgut and fecal samples from geographically diverse marine mammals highlighted similarities in the microbiome between our seals and those sharing similar aquatic environments. This study has provided a first reliable glimpse of the bacterial microbiota in the small intestine microbiome of hooded seals.
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Immune Response and Microbiota Profiles during Coinfection with Plasmodium vivax and Soil-Transmitted Helminths. mBio 2020; 11:mBio.01705-20. [PMID: 33082257 PMCID: PMC7587435 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.01705-20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Plasmodium (malaria) and helminth parasite coinfections are frequent, and both infections can be affected by the host gut microbiota. However, the relationship between coinfection and the gut microbiota is unclear. By performing comprehensive analyses on blood/stool samples from 130 individuals in Colombia, we found that the gut microbiota may have a stronger relationship with the number of P. vivax (malaria) parasites than with the number of helminth parasites infecting a host. Microbiota analysis identified more predictors of the P. vivax parasite burden, whereas analysis of blood samples identified predictors of the helminth parasite burden. These results were unexpected, because we expected each parasite to be associated with greater differences in its biological niche (blood for P. vivax and the intestine for helminths). Instead, we find that bacterial taxa were the strongest predictors of P. vivax parasitemia levels, while circulating TGF-β levels were the strongest predictor of helminth parasite burdens. The role of the gut microbiota during coinfection with soil-transmitted helminths (STH) and Plasmodium spp. is poorly understood. We examined peripheral blood and fecal samples from 130 individuals who were either infected with Plasmodium vivax only, coinfected with P. vivax and STH, infected with STH alone, or not infected with either P. vivax or STH. In addition to a complete blood count (CBC) with differential, transcriptional profiling of peripheral blood samples was performed by transcriptome sequencing (RNA-Seq), fecal microbial communities were determined by 16S rRNA gene sequencing, and circulating cytokine levels were measured by bead-based immunoassays. Differences in blood cell counts, including an increased percentage of neutrophils, associated with a transcriptional signature of neutrophil activation, were driven primarily by P. vivax infection. P. vivax infection was also associated with increased levels of interleukin 6 (IL-6), IL-8, and IL-10; these cytokine levels were not affected by STH coinfection. Surprisingly, P. vivax infection was more strongly associated with differences in the microbiota than STH infection. Children infected with only P. vivax exhibited elevated Bacteroides and reduced Prevotella and Clostridiaceae levels, but these differences were not observed in individuals coinfected with STH. We also observed that P. vivax parasitemia was higher in the STH-infected population. When we used machine learning to identify the most important predictors of the P. vivax parasite burden (among P. vivax-infected individuals), bacterial taxa were the strongest predictors of parasitemia. In contrast, circulating transforming growth factor β (TGF-β) was the strongest predictor of the Trichuris trichiura egg burden. This study provides unexpected evidence that the gut microbiota may have a stronger link with P. vivax than with STH infection.
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Lagatie O, Verheyen A, Van Asten S, Odiere MR, Djuardi Y, Levecke B, Vlaminck J, Mekonnen Z, Dana D, T'Kindt R, Sandra K, van Outersterp R, Oomens J, Lin R, Dillen L, Vreeken R, Cuyckens F, Stuyver LJ. 2-Methyl-pentanoyl-carnitine (2-MPC): a urine biomarker for patent Ascaris lumbricoides infection. Sci Rep 2020; 10:15780. [PMID: 32978457 PMCID: PMC7519643 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-72804-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2020] [Accepted: 09/04/2020] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Infections with intestinal worms, such as Ascaris lumbricoides, affect hundreds of millions of people in all tropical and subtropical regions of the world. Through large-scale deworming programs, World Health Organization aims to reduce moderate-to-heavy intensity infections below 1%. Current diagnosis and monitoring of these control programs are solely based on the detection of worm eggs in stool. Here we describe how metabolome analysis was used to identify the A. lumbricoides-specific urine biomarker 2-methyl pentanoyl carnitine (2-MPC). This biomarker was found to be 85.7% accurate in determining infection and 90.5% accurate in determining a moderate-to-heavy infection. Our results also demonstrate that there is a correlation between 2-MPC levels in urine and A. lumbricoides DNA detected in stool. Furthermore, the levels of 2-MPC in urine were shown to rapidly and strongly decrease upon administration of a standard treatment (single oral dose of 400 mg albendazole). In an Ascaris suum infection model in pigs, it was found that, although 2-MPC levels were much lower compared to humans, there was a significant association between urinary 2-MPC levels and both worm counts (p = 0.023) and the number of eggs per gram (epg) counts (p < 0.001). This report demonstrates that urinary 2-MPC can be considered an A. lumbricoides-specific biomarker that can be used to monitor infection intensity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ole Lagatie
- Janssen Global Public Health, Janssen R&D, Turnhoutseweg 30, 2340, Beerse, Belgium.
| | - Ann Verheyen
- Janssen Global Public Health, Janssen R&D, Turnhoutseweg 30, 2340, Beerse, Belgium
| | - Stijn Van Asten
- Discovery Sciences, Janssen R&D, Turnhoutseweg 30, 2340, Beerse, Belgium
| | - Maurice R Odiere
- Centre for Global Health Research, Kenya Medical Research Institute, P. O. Box 1578, Kisumu, 40100, Kenya
| | - Yenny Djuardi
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Indonesia, Jakarta, Indonesia
| | - Bruno Levecke
- Department of Virology, Parasitology and Immunology, Ghent University, Salisburylaan 133, 9820, Merelbeke, Belgium
| | - Johnny Vlaminck
- Department of Virology, Parasitology and Immunology, Ghent University, Salisburylaan 133, 9820, Merelbeke, Belgium
| | - Zeleke Mekonnen
- School of Medical Laboratory Sciences, Jimma University, Jimma, Ethiopia
| | - Daniel Dana
- School of Medical Laboratory Sciences, Jimma University, Jimma, Ethiopia
| | - Ruben T'Kindt
- Research Institute for Chromatography, President Kennedypark 26, 8500, Kortrijk, Belgium
| | - Koen Sandra
- Research Institute for Chromatography, President Kennedypark 26, 8500, Kortrijk, Belgium
| | - Rianne van Outersterp
- FELIX Laboratory, Faculty of Science, Radboud University, Toernooiveld 7, 6525 ED, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Jos Oomens
- FELIX Laboratory, Faculty of Science, Radboud University, Toernooiveld 7, 6525 ED, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Ronghui Lin
- Janssen R&D, Welsh & McKean Road, Spring House, PA, 19477-0776, USA
| | - Lieve Dillen
- Discovery Sciences, Janssen R&D, Turnhoutseweg 30, 2340, Beerse, Belgium
| | - Rob Vreeken
- Discovery Sciences, Janssen R&D, Turnhoutseweg 30, 2340, Beerse, Belgium
| | - Filip Cuyckens
- Discovery Sciences, Janssen R&D, Turnhoutseweg 30, 2340, Beerse, Belgium
| | - Lieven J Stuyver
- Janssen Global Public Health, Janssen R&D, Turnhoutseweg 30, 2340, Beerse, Belgium
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Hu X, Xu Y, Liu G, Hu D, Wang Y, Zhang W, Zheng Y. The impact of anthelmintic treatment on gut bacterial and fungal communities in diagnosed parasite-free sika deer Cervus nippon. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 2020; 104:9239-9250. [PMID: 32930840 DOI: 10.1007/s00253-020-10838-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2020] [Revised: 07/24/2020] [Accepted: 08/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
The gut microbiota, including both bacterial and fungal communities, plays vital roles in the gut homeostasis of animals, and antibiotics can lead to disorders of these microbial communities. The use of anthelmintic treatment to control parasitic infection has long been a standard practice, although its impact on the gut microbiota of healthy sika deer is relatively unknown. This study used next-generation sequencing based on 16S/18S/ITS rRNA genes to investigate the shifts in fecal bacterial and fungal communities in parasite-free sika deer after treatment with fenbendazole and ivermectin tablets. The α-diversity of both bacterial and fungal communities was significantly decreased (P < 0.05) after treatment, as were the bacterial genus Bacteroides and fungal genus Candida (P < 0.05). The results of β-diversity, LEfSe analysis, core community's analysis, taxonomic composition, and functional prediction of fungal and bacterial communities confirmed the substantial impacts of anthelmintic treatment on the function and structure of the intestinal microbiota of sika deer. Nevertheless, many lines of evidence, including β-diversity, LEfSe analysis and functional prediction analysis, suggested that the anthelmintics exerted more significant influences on fungal communities than on bacterial communities, suggesting that more attention should be paid to the changes in fungal communities of sika deer under anthelmintic treatment. The present study provides evidence to support the assumption that anthelmintic drugs modify the gut microbiota of deer and serves as the first trial to test the potential effects of anthelmintics on mycobiota in ruminants using high-throughput sequencing techniques. Key Points • Anthelmintic treatment showed significant effects on the gut microbiota of sika deer. • Fungi were more strongly affected by anthelmintic treatment than bacteria. • The profile of mycobiota provides essential data that were previously absent.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaolong Hu
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Jiangxi Agricultural University, Nanchang, China
| | - Yongtao Xu
- College of forestry, Jiangxi Agricultural University, Nanchang, China
| | - Gang Liu
- Institute of Wetland Research, Chinese Academy of Forestry, Beijing, China
| | - Defu Hu
- School of Ecology and Nature Conservation, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, China
| | - Yihua Wang
- Institute of Forest Ecology, Environment and Protection, Chinese Academy of Forestry, Beijing, China
| | - Weiwei Zhang
- College of forestry, Jiangxi Agricultural University, Nanchang, China.
| | - Yunlin Zheng
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Jiangxi Agricultural University, Nanchang, China.
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Nyangahu DD, Darby M, Havyarimana E, Brown BP, Horsnell W, Jaspan HB. Preconception helminth infection alters offspring microbiota and immune subsets in a mouse model. Parasite Immunol 2020; 42:e12721. [PMID: 32277499 PMCID: PMC7423732 DOI: 10.1111/pim.12721] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2019] [Revised: 03/12/2020] [Accepted: 03/31/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Both maternal microbiota and helminth infection may alter offspring immunity but the relationship between these is underexplored. We hypothesized that maternal helminth exposure prior to pregnancy has lasting consequences on offspring intestinal microbiota and consequent immunity. Female BALB/c adult mice were infected with 500L3 Nippostrongylus brasiliensis (N brasiliensis). Infection was cleared by ivermectin treatment, and mice were mated 3 weeks post-infection (NbM). Control mice were not infected but were exposed to ivermectin (NvM). We analysed maternal gut microbiota during pregnancy, breastmilk microbiota and offspring faecal microbiota and immunity 2 weeks after delivery. During pregnancy, NbM (Mothers previously infected with Nippostrongylus brasiliensis) displayed significantly altered stool bacterial communities (R2 = .242; P = .001), with increased abundance of Enterococcaceae versus NvM (Naive mothers). Similarly, we observed a profound impact on breastmilk microbiota in NbM vs NvM. Moreover, NbM pups showed significantly altered gut microbial communities at 14 days of age versus those born to NvM with increased relative abundance of Coriobacteriaceae and Micrococcaceae. These changes were associated with alterations in pup immunity including increased frequencies and numbers of activated CD4 T cells (CD4 + CD44hi) in NbM offspring spleens. Taken together, we show that preconception helminth infections impact offspring immunity possibly through alteration of maternal and offspring microbiota.
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Affiliation(s)
- Donald D Nyangahu
- Division of Immunology, Department of Pathology, Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, RSA
- Departments of Pediatrics and Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle, WA
| | - Matthew Darby
- Division of Immunology, Department of Pathology, Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, RSA
| | - Enock Havyarimana
- Division of Immunology, Department of Pathology, Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, RSA
| | - Bryan P Brown
- Center for Global Infectious Disease Research, Seattle Children’s Research Institute, Seattle WA, USA
| | - William Horsnell
- Division of Immunology, Department of Pathology, Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, RSA
- Institute of Microbiology and Infection, University of Birmingham, B15 2TT Birmingham, UK
| | - Heather B. Jaspan
- Division of Immunology, Department of Pathology, Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, RSA
- Departments of Pediatrics and Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle, WA
- Center for Global Infectious Disease Research, Seattle Children’s Research Institute, Seattle WA, USA
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Abstract
Host-microbiota interactions are fundamental for the development of the immune system. Drastic changes in modern environments and lifestyles have led to an imbalance of this evolutionarily ancient process, coinciding with a steep rise in immune-mediated diseases such as autoimmune, allergic and chronic inflammatory disorders. There is an urgent need to better understand these diseases in the context of mucosal and skin microbiota. This Review discusses the mechanisms of how the microbiota contributes to the predisposition, initiation and perpetuation of immune-mediated diseases in the context of a genetically prone host. It is timely owing to the wealth of new studies that recently contributed to this field, ranging from metagenomic studies in humans and mechanistic studies of host-microorganism interactions in gnotobiotic models and in vitro systems, to molecular mechanisms with broader implications across immune-mediated diseases. We focus on the general principles, such as breaches in immune tolerance and barriers, leading to the promotion of immune-mediated diseases by gut, oral and skin microbiota. Lastly, the therapeutic avenues that either target the microbiota, the barrier surfaces or the host immune system to restore tolerance and homeostasis will be explored.
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Mejia R, Damania A, Jeun R, Bryan PE, Vargas P, Juarez M, Cajal PS, Nasser J, Krolewiecki A, Lefoulon E, Long C, Drake E, Cimino RO, Slatko B. Impact of intestinal parasites on microbiota and cobalamin gene sequences: a pilot study. Parasit Vectors 2020; 13:200. [PMID: 32306993 PMCID: PMC7168842 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-020-04073-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2019] [Accepted: 04/10/2020] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Approximately 30% of children worldwide are infected with gastrointestinal parasites. Depending on the species, parasites can disrupt intestinal bacterial microbiota affecting essential vitamin biosynthesis. Methods Stool samples were collected from 37 asymptomatic children from a previous cross-sectional Argentinian study. A multi-parallel real-time quantitative PCR was implemented for Ascaris lumbricoides, Ancylostoma duodenale, Necator americanus, Strongyloides stercoralis, Trichuris trichiura, Cryptosporidium spp., Entamoeba histolytica and Giardia duodenalis. In addition, whole-genome sequencing analysis was conducted for bacterial microbiota on all samples and analyzed using Livermore Metagenomic Analysis Toolkit and DIAMOND software. Separate analyses were carried out for uninfected, Giardia-only, Giardia + helminth co-infections, and helminth-only groups. Results For Giardia-only infected children compared to uninfected children, DNA sequencing data showed a decrease in microbiota biodiversity that correlated with increasing Giardia burden and was statistically significant using Shannonʼs alpha diversity (Giardia-only > 1 fg/µl 2.346; non-infected group 3.253, P = 0.0317). An increase in diversity was observed for helminth-only infections with a decrease in diversity for Giardia + helminth co-infections (P = 0.00178). In Giardia-only infections, microbiome taxonomy changed from Firmicutes towards increasing proportions of Prevotella, with the degree of change related to the intensity of infection compared to uninfected (P = 0.0317). The abundance of Prevotella bacteria was decreased in the helminths-only group but increased for Giardia + helminth co-infections (P = 0.0262). Metagenomic analysis determined cobalamin synthesis was decreased in the Giardia > 1 fg/µl group compared to both the Giardia < 1 fg/µl and the uninfected group (P = 0.0369). Giardia + helminth group also had a decrease in cobalamin CbiM genes from helminth-only infections (P = 0.000754). Conclusion The study results may provide evidence for an effect of parasitic infections enabling the permissive growth of anaerobic bacteria such as Prevotella, suggesting an altered capacity of vitamin B12 (cobalamin) biosynthesis and potential impact on growth and development in children .
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Affiliation(s)
- Rojelio Mejia
- National School of Tropical Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA. .,Universidad Nacional de Salta, Salta, Argentina.
| | - Ashish Damania
- National School of Tropical Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Rebecca Jeun
- National School of Tropical Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Patricia E Bryan
- National School of Tropical Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Evan Drake
- New England Biolabs, Inc, Ipswich, MA, USA
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Sharpton TJ, Combrink L, Arnold HK, Gaulke CA, Kent M. Harnessing the gut microbiome in the fight against anthelminthic drug resistance. Curr Opin Microbiol 2020; 53:26-34. [PMID: 32114334 DOI: 10.1016/j.mib.2020.01.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2019] [Revised: 01/20/2020] [Accepted: 01/24/2020] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Intestinal helminth parasites present major challenges to the welfare of humans and threaten the global food supply. While the discovery of anthelminthic drugs empowered our ability to offset these harms to society, the alarming rise of anthelminthic drug resistance mitigates contemporary efforts to treat and control intestinal helminthic infections. Fortunately, emerging research points to potential opportunities to combat anthelminthic drug resistance by harnessing the gut microbiome as a resource for discovering novel therapeutics and informing responsible drug administration. In this review, we highlight research that demonstrates this potential and provide rationale to support increased investment in efforts to uncover and translationally utilize knowledge about how the gut microbiome mediates intestinal helminthic infection and its outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas J Sharpton
- Department of Microbiology, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, 97331, USA; Department of Statistics, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, 97331, USA.
| | - Leigh Combrink
- Department of Microbiology, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, 97331, USA; Department of Biomedical Sciences, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, 97331, USA
| | - Holly K Arnold
- Department of Microbiology, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, 97331, USA; Carlson College of Veterinary Medicine, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, 97331, USA
| | | | - Michael Kent
- Department of Microbiology, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, 97331, USA; Department of Biomedical Sciences, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, 97331, USA
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Lee SC, Tang MS, Easton AV, Devlin JC, Chua LL, Cho I, Moy FM, Khang TF, Lim YAL, Loke P. Linking the effects of helminth infection, diet and the gut microbiota with human whole-blood signatures. PLoS Pathog 2019; 15:e1008066. [PMID: 31841569 PMCID: PMC6913942 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1008066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2019] [Accepted: 09/03/2019] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Helminth infection and dietary intake can affect the intestinal microbiota, as well as the immune system. Here we analyzed the relationship between fecal microbiota and blood profiles of indigenous Malaysians, referred to locally as Orang Asli, in comparison to urban participants from the capital city of Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur. We found that helminth infections had a larger effect on gut microbial composition than did dietary intake or blood profiles. Trichuris trichiura infection intensity also had the strongest association with blood transcriptional profiles. By characterizing paired longitudinal samples collected before and after deworming treatment, we determined that changes in serum zinc and iron levels among the Orang Asli were driven by changes in helminth infection status, independent of dietary metal intake. Serum zinc and iron levels were associated with changes in the abundance of several microbial taxa. Hence, there is considerable interplay between helminths, micronutrients and the microbiota on the regulation of immune responses in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Soo Ching Lee
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
- Centre of Excellence for Research in AIDS (CERiA), University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
- * E-mail: (SCL); (YALL); (PL)
| | - Mei San Tang
- Department of Microbiology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, New York, United States of America
| | - Alice V. Easton
- Department of Microbiology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, New York, United States of America
| | - Joseph Cooper Devlin
- Department of Microbiology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, New York, United States of America
| | - Ling Ling Chua
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya Medical Centre, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
- Department of Paediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya Medical Centre, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Ilseung Cho
- Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, New York, United States of America
| | - Foong Ming Moy
- Department of Social and Preventive Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Tsung Fei Khang
- University of Malaya Centre for Data Analytics, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
- Institute of Mathematical Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Yvonne A. L. Lim
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
- Centre of Excellence for Research in AIDS (CERiA), University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
- * E-mail: (SCL); (YALL); (PL)
| | - P’ng Loke
- Department of Microbiology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, New York, United States of America
- * E-mail: (SCL); (YALL); (PL)
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Yegorov S, Joag V, Galiwango RM, Good SV, Okech B, Kaul R. Impact of Endemic Infections on HIV Susceptibility in Sub-Saharan Africa. TROPICAL DISEASES TRAVEL MEDICINE AND VACCINES 2019; 5:22. [PMID: 31798936 PMCID: PMC6884859 DOI: 10.1186/s40794-019-0097-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2019] [Accepted: 11/07/2019] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) remains a leading cause of global morbidity with the highest burden in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). For reasons that are incompletely understood, the likelihood of HIV transmission is several fold higher in SSA than in higher income countries, and most of these infections are acquired by young women. Residents of SSA are also exposed to a variety of endemic infections, such as malaria and various helminthiases that could influence mucosal and systemic immunology. Since these immune parameters are important determinants of HIV acquisition and progression, this review explores the possible effects of endemic infections on HIV susceptibility and summarizes current knowledge of the epidemiology and underlying immunological mechanisms by which endemic infections could impact HIV acquisition. A better understanding of the interaction between endemic infections and HIV may enhance HIV prevention programs in SSA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sergey Yegorov
- 1Departments of Immunology and Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada.,2Department of Pedagogical Mathematics and Natural Science, Faculty of Education and Humanities, Suleyman Demirel University, Almaty, Kazakhstan
| | - Vineet Joag
- 3Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN USA
| | - Ronald M Galiwango
- 1Departments of Immunology and Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Sara V Good
- 4Genetics & Genome Biology, The Hospital for Sick Children, Peter Gilgan Centre for Research and Learning, Toronto, ON Canada.,5Community Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB Canada
| | | | - Rupert Kaul
- 1Departments of Immunology and Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada.,7Department of Medicine, University Health Network, Toronto, Canada
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Porras AM, Brito IL. The internationalization of human microbiome research. Curr Opin Microbiol 2019; 50:50-55. [PMID: 31683111 PMCID: PMC6907006 DOI: 10.1016/j.mib.2019.09.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2019] [Revised: 09/19/2019] [Accepted: 09/24/2019] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
The human microbiome has now been linked with myriad diseases, yet most of this research has been conducted on American and European populations that make up only 1/6th of the world's population. With growing recognition that human microbiomes differ tremendously across global populations, it is especially important to understand how these compositional differences impact health outcomes. Recent advances in infectious disease and malnutrition research have demonstrated the potential for microbiome-based strategies to address the biggest challenges in global health. This review highlights major advances toward understanding microbiome diversity across the world and its contributions to disease, and outlines key questions, challenges, and opportunities to broaden the scope of and promote inclusivity within microbiome research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Maria Porras
- Meinig School of Biomedical Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, 14850, United States
| | - Ilana Lauren Brito
- Meinig School of Biomedical Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, 14850, United States.
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