Intestinal Ecosystem: Interaction and Coexistence Between “Parasitome” and Microbial Communities

Abstract

The vertebrate gut has been continuously populated with complex and dynamic microbial and eukaryotic communities, that over millions of years have coevolved both spatially and temporally (Kreisinger et al., 2015). Due to the prolonged coexistence, intestinal parasites (protozoa and helminths) and resident microbiota have developed the ability to influence one another by several mechanisms: 1) produce changes at the level of intestinal mucus and epithelial barrier, 2) alter the host immune response or 3) direct interaction (Leung et al., 2018). The uncontrolled use of anthelmintics can lead to the elimination of commensal organisms and alteration of host immunity and intestinal microbial community composition. Thus, the aim of this research is to highlight the complexity of interactions between intestinal bacteria and parasites and their importance for the host. The “parasitome”- microbiota relationship is a complex phenomenon that plays an essential role in host intestinal homeostasis, the absence or alteration of either of these organisms being able to cause a severe disruption of host immune system (Leung et al., 2018). Is therefore essential to acquire a deeper understanding of the molecular mechanisms of interaction between these two communities.