Modulation of gut Clostridia by Trichuris muris

Clemson University, Clemson SC

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Abstract

There is a critical need to understand factors impacting transmission and infection caused by the soil-dwelling helminth Trichuris trichia, or whipworm, which infects over half a billion individuals per year globally. Paradoxically, decreased exposure to helminths due to increased hygiene practices is also implicated in increased prevalence of autoimmune conditions such as Inflammatory Bowel Disease, which are negatively associated with areas with endemic helminth infections. As such, disentangling gut host-microbiota interactions is a key objective for advancing novel microbial therapeutics interventions for the benefit of hose health, which is one of our long-term research goals.