3 Key Takeaways
Plain English Summary- 01Core Finding
Fecal samples (n=233) were collected pre-infection, during infection, and post-infection.
- 02Study Evidence
Tested in a observational cohort study (n=233) at the real-world cohort stage.
- 03Practical Meaning
Observational cohort findings reveal real-world links, though lifestyle or unmeasured factors cannot be fully ruled out without an RCT.
What This Means for You
Cryptosporidium infection is associated with dynamic and persistent alterations in the gut microbiome, even in the absence of diarrhea, which may be related to impaired child growth, and deserve deeper analysis as promising potential targets for microbiota-mediated interventions.
The Discovery
Cryptosporidium spp. are enteric protozoa associated with moderate-to-severe diarrhea and impaired growth in children worldwide. However, the relationship between Cryptosporidium infection and gut microbiome remains poorly understood. We investigated gut microbiota dynamics associated with Cryptosporidium infection in a longitudinal cohort of 84 children and family members in Bangladesh. Fecal samples (n=233) were collected pre-infection, during infection, and post-infection. Microbial profiling was performed using 16S rRNA sequencing, with taxonomic classification and abundance estimation conducted via Cosmos ID-HUB. Associations between infection status, microbial diversity, and taxa abundance were evaluated using multivariable models adjusting for age and sex. Most Cryptosporidium infections were subclinical (96.1%), with 3.86% presenting diarrhea. In individuals ≥ 3 years of age, gut microbial α-diversity decreased during infection (p-value range = 0.01-3.68x10-10) and increased following recovery (p-value range = 0.0017- 0.0019). During infection, Roseburia and Megaspheara were reduced relative to both pre- (q-value = 0.011 and 0.02) and post-infection (q-value =2.34 x10-5 and 0.001). In addition, Prevotella (q-value = 0.03) and Leuconostoc (q-value=0.04) were reduced relative to pre-infection. Shigella abundance increased during infection (q-value =3.4x10-5) and persisted post-infection (q-value=9.0x10-6). In children ≤ 3 years of age, α-diversity increased during infection compared to pre-infection (p-value=0.045). α-diversity and β-diversity during the post-infection period were associated with lower weight for age z scores.
How It Works, Simply
This infectious disease research focuses on gut bacteria. Researchers evaluated it using an observational cohort study (n=233) at the real-world cohort stage of medical research.
3 Key Takeaways
Clinical Takeaways- 01Core Finding
Fecal samples (n=233) were collected pre-infection, during infection, and post-infection.
- 02Study Evidence
Tested in a observational cohort study (n=233) at the real-world cohort stage.
- 03Practical Meaning
Observational cohort findings reveal real-world links, though lifestyle or unmeasured factors cannot be fully ruled out without an RCT.
Biological Mechanism & Study Design
Study Design & Cohort
Observational cohort study
Observational cohort study (n=233) · Real-World Cohort
Biological Pathway & Modality
Gut bacteria
Intervention: Cryptosporidium Infection Is Associated with Gut Microbiome Alterations in
Experimental Findings & Endpoints
Cryptosporidium spp. are enteric protozoa associated with moderate-to-severe diarrhea and impaired growth in children worldwide.
However, the relationship between Cryptosporidium infection and gut microbiome remains poorly understood. We investigated gut microbiota dynamics associated with Cryptosporidium infection in a longitudinal cohort of 84 children and family members in Bangladesh.
Fecal samples (n=233) were collected pre-infection, during infection, and post-infection. Microbial profiling was performed using 16S rRNA sequencing, with taxonomic classification and abundance estimation conducted via Cosmos ID-HUB.
Associations between infection status, microbial diversity, and taxa abundance were evaluated using multivariable models adjusting for age and sex. Most Cryptosporidium infections were subclinical (96.1%), with 3.86% presenting diarrhea.
In individuals ≥ 3 years of age, gut microbial α-diversity decreased during infection (p-value range = 0.01-3.68x10-10) and increased following recovery (p-value range = 0.0017- 0.0019). During infection, Roseburia and Megaspheara were reduced relative to both pre- (q-value = 0.011 and 0.02) and post-infection (q-value =2.34 x10-5 and 0.001).
In addition, Prevotella (q-value = 0.03) and Leuconostoc (q-value=0.04) were reduced relative to pre-infection. Shigella abundance increased during infection (q-value =3.4x10-5) and persisted post-infection (q-value=9.0x10-6).
In children ≤ 3 years of age, α-diversity increased during infection compared to pre-infection (p-value=0.045). α-diversity and β-diversity during the post-infection period were associated with lower weight for age z scores.
Clinical Translation & Practice Context
Cryptosporidium infection is associated with dynamic and persistent alterations in the gut microbiome, even in the absence of diarrhea, which may be related to impaired child growth, and deserve deeper analysis as promising potential targets for microbiota-mediated interventions.
The Bottom Line · Clinical Pearl
“Cryptosporidium infection is associated with dynamic and persistent alterations in the gut microbiome, even in the absence of diarrhea, which may be related to impaired child growth, and deserve deeper analysis as promising potential targets for microbiota-mediated interventions.”
Published in The Journal of Infectious Diseases · Current Stage: Real-World Cohort