Molecular Identification of Enterobius vermicularis and Its Impact on Gut Microbiota Diversity in Primary School Children in Wasit Province, Iraq

Abstract

Despite its high infectivity and re-infectivity, Enterobius vermicularis is one of the most common intestinal helminth infections in school-age children globally, and remains a major public health concern. The present study aimed to study the prevalence and molecular features of E. vermicularis in primary school children in Wasit province, Iraq and also its association with the diversity of gut microbiota. All 85 stool samples were subjected to conventional parasitological examination and E. vermicularis was identified from the stool samples by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) of the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (cox1) gene ~407 bp fragment. Characterization of the genetic relationship of the detected isolates was done by DNA sequencing, BLAST analysis and Phylogenetic analysis of positive PCR products. At the same time, the intestinal microbial community was studied by analyzing 16S rRNA gene sequences of the total bacterial DNA in fecal samples. Alpha– and beta-diversity indices were used to compare gut microbiota of infected vs. non-infected children. Molecular detection of E. vermicularis was performed in 85 children of whom 35 (41.2%) were positive. The parasite isolates demonstrated variation and confirmed their affiliation with E. vermicularis sequence already published in GenBank by nucleotide analysis. The composition of bacterial communities and diversity between infected and non-infected children were significantly different in the microbiome analysis. Based on our results, E. vermicularis infection is associated with alteration of the microbial community of the gut. The study provides molecular and microbiological evidence which sheds light on enterobiasis and parasite–microbiota interactions in Iraqi school children.