Impact of experimental hookworm infection on the human gut microbiota
Journal Publication ResearchOnline@JCUAbstract
The interactions between gastrointestinal parasitic helminths and commensal bacteria are likely to play a pivotal role in the establishment of host-parasite cross-talk, ultimately shaping the development of the intestinal immune system. However, little information is available on the impact of infections by gastrointestinal helminths on the bacterial communities inhabiting the human gut. We used 16S rRNA gene amplification and pyrosequencing to characterise, for the first time, the differences in composition and relative abundance of fecal microbial communities in human subjects prior to and following experimental infection with the blood-feeding intestinal hookworm, Necator americanus. Our data show that, while hookworm infection leads to a minor increase in microbial species richness, no detectable effect is observed on community structure, diversity or relative abundance of individual bacterial species.
Journal
Journal of Infectious Diseases
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N/A
Volume
210
ISBN/ISSN
1537-6613
Edition
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Issue
9
Pages Count
4
Location
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Publisher
University of Chicago Press
Publisher Url
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Publisher Location
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Publish Date
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Url
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Date
N/A
EISSN
N/A
DOI
10.1093/infdis/jiu256