Chronic Strongyloides stercoralis infection increases Ruminococcus torques group and alters the microbial proteome

We explored the impact of chronic S. stercoralis infection on the gut microbiome and microbial activity in a longitudinal study and after ivermectin treatment. At baseline (time-point T0), 42 matched samples were analyzed, including 21 positive for strongyloidiasis and 21 negative were analyzed 16S rRNA sequencing. One year later (time-point T1, Ss+PreT), who were persistently infected at baseline known to have chronic strongyloidiasis, was enrolled as before and after treatment at four months (time-point T2, Ss+PosT). Samples from T1 and T2 were subjected to 16S rRNA sequence analysis and LC-MS/MS to determine microbial diversity and proteomes before and after ivermectin treatment. No alteration of gut microbial diversity was found in either set of 16S rRNA sequences. However, the Ruminococcus torques group was highly over-represented in chronic infection. Metaproteome data revealed an enrichment of Ruminococcus mucin degrader enzymes in infection, which might influence the ability of the host to expel parasites. Metaproteomics indicated an increase in carbohydrate metabolism and Bacteroidaceae accounted for this change in chronic infection. STITCH interaction networks explored highly expressed proteins in Ss+PreT and short-chain fatty acids involved in the synthesis of acetate. In brief, our data indicate that chronic S. stercoralis infection increases Ruminococcus torques group and alters the microbial proteome.