Research on the Influence of Enterobius vermicularis on the Composition and Quality of the Intestinal Microbiota, and the Susceptibility to Co-Infections

The present study examined the presence of concomitant intestinal parasites and bacteria in individuals infected with Enterobius vermicularis in Bulgaria, and analyzed its effects on the intestinal microbiome and the risk of co-infection. Fecal samples from people with and without (control group) enterobiasis were tested for the presence of concomitant bacterial infection. The results were compared to find out about the intestinal microbiome in these groups. The microbiological examination of the control group showed that 8.3% had only conditionally pathogenic flora. However, in individuals with enterobiasis, 56% had normal intestinal bacterial flora, but 46% had disturbed microbiota: 7% were carriers of pathogenic intestinal bacteria and 24% had opportunistic pathogens. The most prevalent were Klebsiella pneumoniae (49%), followed by Enterobacter spp. (22%), and Proteus mirabilis (12.2%). Our study is the first in the country to investigate the impact of E. vermicularis infection on the composition and quality of the gut microbiome, as well as the potential for co-infections with pathogenic gut bacteria. Although our findings are preliminary, they suggest that this nematode may significantly contribute to a predisposition for dysbiosis or the onset of secondary bacterial infections.