Abstract
Coinfection of microorganisms is a common phenomenon in humans and animals. In order to further our understanding of the progress of coinfection and the possible interaction between different pathogens, we have built a coinfection mouse model with Schistosoma japonicum and Salmonella typhimurium, and used this model to investigate the systemic metabolic and immune responses using NMR-based metabonomics and immunological techniques. Our results show that Salmonella typhimurium (ATCC14028) infection reduces the number of adult schistosomal worms and eggs, relieves symptoms of schistosomiasis and also abates the mortality of mice infected by Schistosoma japonicum. In addition, Salmonella typhimurium infection counteracts the metabolic disturbances associated with schistosomiasis, which was reflected by the reverted levels of metabolites in coinfected mice, compared with the Schistosoma japonicum infected mice. Furthermore, immune analyses also indicate that shift of the immune response to different pathogens is a result of indirect interactions between Schistosoma japonicum and Salmonella typhimurium within the host. Salmonella typhimurium infection can ameliorate Schistosoma japonicum-caused schistosomiasis in BALB/c mice, which is most likely due to inverse immune polarization. Our work provides an insight into coinfection between Schistosoma japonicum and Salmonella typhimurium, and may further contribute to the development of new tools for controlling Schistosoma japonicum-associated diseases.
Highlights
IntroductionWe found that coinfection had no impact on the worm burden and that metabolic response of the host was sum of the two-single infections[25]
Schistosomiasis is one of the most debilitating and widespread human diseases caused by infection with a parasitic blood fluke called Schistosome
A total of 19% of adult schistosomes were retrieved from the mice coinfected with S. japonicum and S. typhimurium (CI), which is significantly lower compared with 44% from mice with S. japonicum infection alone (SJ) (Fig. 1A)
Summary
We found that coinfection had no impact on the worm burden and that metabolic response of the host was sum of the two-single infections[25]. This could be due to both parasites being introduced to the host simultaneously, thereby removing any competition for energy resources or growth. We have applied NMR-based metabonomics and immune techniques to investigate the impact of coinfection with S. typhimurium and S. japonicum on mice. We found that coinfection with S. typhimurium can ameliorate schistosomiasis in terms of worm burden and metabolic alterations associated with the infection, mostly due to host’s self-immune responses manipulated by the secondary bacterial infection. Our research provided important information about the impact of two infectious organisms on the host, which could provide an alternative avenue for treating schistosomiasis
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
