An Overview on Intestinal Parasites and Gut Microbiome: A Bidirectional Relationship

The human body hosts a vast and diverse ecosystem known as the microbiota, inclusive ofbacteria, viruses, archaea, and parasites. The majority of gut microbiota resides in the colon,with Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes representing the predominant phyla. Disruption of gut microbiota(dysbiosis) is associated with various intestinal and systemic diseases. Developmentof intestinal parasitic infections may alter bacterial composition, immune responses, and homeostaticrelationships within the gut ecosystem. Protozoa, like Giardia intestinalis, Entamoebahistolytica, and Blastocystis cause interactions with resident bacteria, impacting themicrobiota's composition and diversity. Toxoplasma gondii influences gut microbiota leadingto changes in bacterial load, diversity and translocation. Owing to their immunomodulatoryeffects, helminths as Trichuriasis exhibit potential control of autoimmune diseases. The relationshipbetween the gut microbiome and intestinal parasites is intricate and dynamic. Themicrobiome can influence parasitic infections, affecting immune responses and disease outcomes.