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The Human Blood Fluke, Schistosoma mansoni, Harbors Bacteria Throughout the Parasite's Life Cycle.

Accepted version
Peer-reviewed

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Type

Article

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Authors

Formenti, Fabio 
Cortés, Alba 
Deiana, Michela 
Salter, Susannah 
Parkhill, Julian 

Abstract

While symbiotic relationships between invertebrates and bacteria have been extensively described, studies of microbial communities inhabiting parasitic worms remain scarce. Exploring the microbiota associated with helminths responsible for major infectious diseases will inform on parasite biology, host-pathogen interactions, and disease pathophysiology. We investigated the presence of microorganisms inhabiting tissues of the human parasite Schistosoma mansoni. In situ hybridization using a pan-bacterial 16S rRNA gene probe revealed bacteria colonizing key developmental stages that were successfully removed after antibiotic treatment of live parasites. Understanding the composition and function of the S. mansoni-associated microbiota may lead to the development of novel microbiome-targeting control strategies.

Description

Keywords

fluorescence in situ hybridization, parasite-associated microbiota, schistosomes, Animals, Humans, Schistosoma mansoni, Parasites, RNA, Ribosomal, 16S, Helminths, Life Cycle Stages, Bacteria, Schistosomiasis mansoni

Journal Title

J Infect Dis

Conference Name

Journal ISSN

0022-1899
1537-6613

Volume Title

Publisher

Oxford University Press (OUP)
Sponsorship
IRCCS Ospedale Sacro Cuore Don Calabria (Unknown)