Impact of parasitic infection on human gut ecology and immune regulations

Abstract

The human body harbors trillions of microbes collectively known as microbiota. The human gut microbiota is importantly involved in most of the human metabolic and regulatory pathways. The gut microbiota needs to be balanced for the health of the host. Several factors are involved in the distribution of microbiota in the human body, in most cases these microbiotas are commensals, but some circumstances lead to serious disorders and the development of infections from microbiota. When parasites colonize the gut, the balance between the host and the gut microbiota can be disturbed. Parasitic invasion in the gut is associated with unhygienic conditions including contaminated food and water. Parasitic invasion in the gut induces the immune response to recognize and eliminate pathogens. The current study highlights the immune system’s response to disruption of normal intestinal microbiota and parasitic infections.