Abstract
Background: The human gut microbiota is a microbial ecosystem contributing to the maintenance of host health with functions related to immune and metabolic aspects. Relations between microbiota and enteric pathogens in sub-Saharan Africa are scarcely investigated. The present study explored gut microbiota composition associated to the presence of common enteric pathogens and commensal microorganisms, e.g., Blastocystis and Entamoeba species, in children and adults from semi-urban and non-urban localities in Côte d’Ivoire. Methods: Seventy-six stool samples were analyzed for microbiota composition by 16S rRDNA sequencing. The presence of adeno-, entero-, parechoviruses, bacterial and protozoal pathogens, Blastocystis, and commensal Entamoeba species, was analyzed by different molecular assays. Results: Twelve individuals resulted negative for any tested microorganisms, 64 subjects were positive for one or more microorganisms. Adenovirus, enterovirus, enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC), and Blastocystis were frequently detected. Conclusions: The bacterial composition driven by Prevotellaceae and Ruminococcaceae confirmed the biotype related to the traditional dietary and cooking practices in low-income countries. Clear separation in UniFrac distance in subjects co-harboring Entamoeba hartmanni and Blastocystis was evidenced. Alpha diversity variation in negative control group versus only Blastocystis positive suggested its possible regulatory contribution on intestinal microbiota. Pathogenic bacteria and virus did not affect the positive outcome of co-harbored Blastocystis.
Highlights
The intestinal microbiota consists of a complex microbial community, which exhibits a mutualistic relationship with the host and a crucial impact on human health [1]
Increasing evidence suggests a distinction between a state of balanced homeostasis, typical of healthy subjects, and different dynamic associations of microbial communities that seem to predispose to non-communicable diseases [5], as supported by studies on animal models [6]
Fourteen samples were collected during the heavy rainy season, 22 during the low rainy season, and 40 during the heavy dry season
Summary
The intestinal microbiota consists of a complex microbial community, which exhibits a mutualistic relationship with the host and a crucial impact on human health [1]. The high diversity and the relative abundance of beneficial bacterial strains, compared to those potentially harmful, promote the homeostasis of intestinal functions and hostprotective immunity [2], and the combinations of redundant microbial species, differing among the human populations and geographical areas, insure fundamental metabolic functions [3]. The human gut microbiota is a microbial ecosystem contributing to the maintenance of host health with functions related to immune and metabolic aspects. The present study explored gut microbiota composition associated to the presence of common enteric pathogens and commensal microorganisms, e.g., Blastocystis and Entamoeba species, in children and adults from semi-urban and non-urban localities in Côte d’Ivoire. Results: Twelve individuals resulted negative for any tested microorganisms, 64 subjects were positive for one or more microorganisms
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