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Peer-reviewedCC BY 4.0mSystems

Parasite-associated microbiomes in Ascaris and Trichuris nematodes: current evidence, challenges, and future directions

  • Shezryna Shahrizal1,2
  • Mohd Shafiq Aazmi3,4
  • Yvonne Ai Lian Lim5
  • Azdayanti Muslim1,4,6
6 affiliations
  1. 1Department of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Cawangan Selangor, Kampus Sungai Buloh, Sungai Buloh, Selangor, Malaysia
  2. 2Institute of Medical Molecular Biotechnology, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Cawangan Selangor, Kampus Sungai Buloh, Sungai Buloh, Selangor, Malaysia
  3. 3School of Biology, Faculty of Applied Science, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Shah Alam, Selangor, Malaysia
  4. 4Microbiome Health and Environment (MiHeaRT), Faculty of Applied Sciences, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Shah Alam, Selangor, Malaysia
  5. 5Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
  6. 6Institute for Biodiversity and Sustainable Development, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Shah Alam, Selangor, Malaysia
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Abstract

Soil-transmitted helminth (STH) parasites, particularly Ascaris lumbricoides and Trichuris trichiura, co-exist and co-evolve with a complex human microbiota within the gut ecosystem. Most research has focused on how parasitic nematodes affect the host gut microbial structure and its consequences. In contrast, studies on the parasites’ own associated microbiota remain underexplored. Understanding this gap is crucial, as it adds another layer of complexity to holobiont-holobiont interactions. Driven by the Parasite Microbiome Project, this review summarizes current evidence on Ascaris- and Trichuris-associated microbiomes from both natural and experimental studies, with a focus on their compositions, potential functional roles, challenges, and future directions. Existing findings are largely based on microbiomes associated with the gut of the parasites and are often characterized by transient, host-derived communities acquired through horizontal transmission, which may contribute to parasite survival and host interaction. We therefore emphasize the need to expand investigations to other specific tissues, particularly reproductive organs, as potential sites of a stable and conserved microbiota in STH parasites. Understanding this aspect is essential for advancing our knowledge of parasite-microbiome-host interactions in STH infections and may uncover the potential of microbiome-based therapeutic interventions for STH control and prevention.

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Cite

BibTeXRIS
BibTeX
@article{shahrizal2026parasiteassociated,
  title = {{Parasite-associated microbiomes in Ascaris and Trichuris nematodes: current evidence, challenges, and future directions}},
  author = {Shezryna Shahrizal and Mohd Shafiq Aazmi and Yvonne Ai Lian Lim and Azdayanti Muslim},
  journal = {mSystems},
  year = {2026},
  month = sep,
  doi = {10.1128/msystems.00569-26},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.1128/msystems.00569-26},
  note = {CC BY 4.0},
}
RIS
TY  - JOUR
TI  - Parasite-associated microbiomes in Ascaris and Trichuris nematodes: current evidence, challenges, and future directions
AU  - Shezryna Shahrizal
AU  - Mohd Shafiq Aazmi
AU  - Yvonne Ai Lian Lim
AU  - Azdayanti Muslim
PY  - 2026
DA  - 2026/09/23
JO  - mSystems
DO  - 10.1128/msystems.00569-26
UR  - https://doi.org/10.1128/msystems.00569-26
AB  - Soil-transmitted helminth (STH) parasites, particularly Ascaris lumbricoides and Trichuris trichiura, co-exist and co-evolve with a complex human microbiota within the gut ecosystem. Most research has focused on how parasitic nematodes affect the host gut microbial structure and its consequences. In contrast, studies on the parasites’ own associated microbiota remain underexplored. Understanding this gap is crucial, as it adds another layer of complexity to holobiont-holobiont interactions. Driven by the Parasite Microbiome Project, this review summarizes current evidence on Ascaris- and Trichuris-associated microbiomes from both natural and experimental studies, with a focus on their compositions, potential functional roles, challenges, and future directions. Existing findings are largely based on microbiomes associated with the gut of the parasites and are often characterized by transient, host-derived communities acquired through horizontal transmission, which may contribute to parasite survival and host interaction. We therefore emphasize the need to expand investigations to other specific tissues, particularly reproductive organs, as potential sites of a stable and conserved microbiota in STH parasites. Understanding this aspect is essential for advancing our knowledge of parasite-microbiome-host interactions in STH infections and may uncover the potential of microbiome-based therapeutic interventions for STH control and prevention.
SN  - 2379-5077
ER  -