Linking the effects of helminth infection, diet and the gut microbiota with human whole-blood signatures

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.

蠕虫感染与膳食摄入均可对肠道微生物群及免疫系统产生影响。本研究针对马来西亚原住民（当地俗称Orang Asli）与马来西亚首都吉隆坡的城市参与者展开对比分析，探究二者粪便微生物群与血液特征之间的关联。研究结果显示，相较于膳食摄入与血液特征，蠕虫感染对肠道微生物组成的影响更为显著。鞭虫（Trichuris trichiura）感染强度与血液转录组特征的关联也最为紧密。通过对驱虫治疗前后采集的配对纵向样本进行表征分析，本研究证实，Orang Asli群体的血清锌与铁水平变化由蠕虫感染状态的改变所驱动，且该关联不受膳食金属摄入的影响。血清锌与铁水平与多种微生物类群的丰度变化存在显著关联。综上，蠕虫、微量营养素与微生物群之间存在广泛的相互作用，共同参与调控人体的免疫应答。