Malaria and the Microbiome: A Systematic Review

Abstract Background The microbiome influences malaria parasite fitness and transmission efficiency in mosquitoes and appears to affect malaria dynamics in mammalian hosts as well. Nascent research examining the interrelationship of malaria and the mammalian microbiome has yielded interesting insight...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Clinical infectious diseases 2018-11, Vol.67 (12), p.1831-1839
Main Authors: Ippolito, Matthew M, Denny, Joshua E, Langelier, Charles, Sears, Cynthia L, Schmidt, Nathan W
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
and Commentaries
Animals
Culicidae - parasitology
Gastrointestinal Microbiome
Host-Parasite Interactions
Humans
Malaria - prevention & control
Malaria - transmission
Mice
Microbiota
Plasmodium
Skin - microbiology
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Summary:Abstract Background The microbiome influences malaria parasite fitness and transmission efficiency in mosquitoes and appears to affect malaria dynamics in mammalian hosts as well. Nascent research examining the interrelationship of malaria and the mammalian microbiome has yielded interesting insights inviting further study. Methods We conducted a systematic review of the literature examining associations between the microbiome and malaria in mammalian hosts. An electronic search algorithm was adapted to PubMed, MEDLINE, Scopus, Embase, and Web of Science, and reference lists of relevant sources were manually searched. Identified studies were screened and assessed independently by 2 authors, and results were compiled in a qualitative synthesis of the evidence. Results Ten relevant studies were identified. They demonstrate associations between certain intestinal communities and protection against Plasmodium infection and modulation of disease severity. Plasmodium infection acutely and reversibly reshapes gut microbial composition in mice. The makeup of human skin microbial communities may influence mosquito attraction and thus disease transmission. Conclusions Early research supports a relationship between malaria and the microbiome. The evidence is incomplete, but the observed associations are evocative and signal a promising avenue of inquiry. Microbiome-based studies of malaria can be readily integrated into field-based research. We reviewed the evidence for interactions between malaria and the mammalian microbiome. The literature supports associations of gut microbiota composition with Plasmodium infection, and skin microbiota with vector mosquito attraction.
ISSN:1058-4838
1537-6591
DOI:10.1093/cid/ciy374