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Whipworm infection remodels the gut microbiome ecosystem and compromises intestinal homeostasis in elderly patients revealed by multi-omics analyses

Year: 2025
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: Introduction Whipworm ( Trichuris trichiura ) coexists with symbiotic microbiota in the gastrointestinal ecosystem. There is a paucity of data on the association between whipworm infection and the gut microbiota composition in elderly individuals. This study was designed to investigate changes in gut microbiota and function and its metabolite profile in patients with whipworm infection. Methods We used 16S rRNA gene sequencing to identify microbial signatures associated with whipworm infection. Subsequently, shotgun metagenomic sequencing revealed functional changes that highlighted disruptions in microbial gene expression and metabolic pathways influencing host health. Ultraperformance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry metabolomics was used to characterize whipworm infectioninduced metabolic perturbations and elucidate metabolite dynamics linked to microbial activity. Collectively, this multi-omics approach deciphered structural, functional, and metabolic remodeling of the gut ecosystem that distinguished whipworm-infected patients from healthy controls. Results Analyses of the gut microbiome in patients with whipworm infection revealed significantly increased observed species richness and ACE indices, along with an enrichment of Prevotella 9 -driven enterotypes. Additionally, metagenomic and metabolomic analyses indicated enrichment in metabolic pathways related to amino acid, energy and carbohydrate metabolism. Metabolic network analysis further suggested that the upregulated Prevotella copri and Siphoviridae sp. were positively correlated with elevated levels of myristic acid and DL-dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine. Conclusion These findings suggest that whipworm infection significantly remodels the gut microbiome ecosystem and compromises intestinal homeostasis.
DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2025.1663666
Authors: Benguang Zhang, Zhaoan Sheng, Cancan Bu, Longjiang Wang, Wenxiang Lv, Yongbin Wang, Yan Xu, Ge Yan, Maoqing Gong, Lijuan Liu, Wei Hu
Institutions: Fudan University, Shandong First Medical University, State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Jining Medical University, National Institute for Parasitic Diseases, Chinese Center For Disease Control and Prevention, Inner Mongolia University, World Health Organization
Language: English
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $3,801
OpenAlex ID: W4413803519
FWCI: 0.261
Cites: 43
Cited by: 1
Related to: 10