Jornal de Biomarcadores Moleculares e Diagnóstico

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

Abstract

Debraj Biswal

The animal gut has co-evolved with the microbes and parasites leading to an increased tolerance to their existence therein. Their peaceful co-existence has been a subject of research in the recent years to decipher their probabilities in multidimensional applications ranging from eradicating the helminths without affecting gut homeostasis or using helminths as therapeutics. Negligence in any one of the components of the animal gut can lead to unhealthy gut ecosystems often manifesting a diseased state. Supply of key nutrients, synthesis of vitamins, resistance to invasion by pathogens and helping in hatching of helminth eggs are some important services provided by the gut bacteria that may well be utilised by the helminth. The gut bacteria thus seem to be exploited by the helminths for establishment of infection in the host. However, relationships are not as simple as it seems. The paper tries to present different aspects of this host-bacteria-helminth relationship and their future perspectives.