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Article

Parasitosis by Fasciola hepatica and Variations in Gut Microbiota in School-Aged Children from Peru

by
Wilmer Silva-Caso
1,2,3,*,
Hugo Carrillo-Ng
1,2,
Miguel Angel Aguilar-Luis
1,2,3,
Yordi Tarazona-Castro
1,2,
Luis J. Del Valle
4,
Carmen Tinco-Valdez
1,
Carlos Palomares-Reyes
1,3,
Numan Urteaga
5,
Jorge Bazán-Mayra
6 and
Juana del Valle-Mendoza
1,2,3,*
1
Research and Innovation Centre, Faculty of Health Sciences, Universidad Peruana de Ciencias Aplicadas, Lima 15023, Peru
2
Instituto de Investigación Nutricional, Lima 15024, Peru
3
Escuela de Medicina, Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Peruana de Ciencias Aplicadas, Lima 15023, Peru
4
Barcelona Research Center for Multiscale Science and Engineering, Departament d’Enginyeria Química, EEBE, Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya (UPC), 08019 Barcelona, Spain
5
Puesto de Salud Callancas, Dirección Regional de Salud Cajamarca (DIRESA), Cajamarca 60101, Peru
6
Laboratorio Regional de Cajamarca, Dirección Regional de Salud de Cajamarca (DIRESA), Cajamarca 60101, Peru
*
Authors to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Microorganisms 2024, 12(2), 371; https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms12020371
Submission received: 24 December 2023 / Revised: 5 February 2024 / Accepted: 7 February 2024 / Published: 11 February 2024
(This article belongs to the Section Gut Microbiota)
Browse Figure
Versions Notes

Abstract

:
(1) Background: Human fascioliasis is considered an endemic and hyper-endemic disease in the Peruvian Andean valleys. Our objective was to determine variations in the composition of the gut microbiota among children with Fasciola hepatica and children who do not have this parasitosis. (2) Method: A secondary analysis was performed using fecal samples stored in our biobank. The samples were collected as part of an epidemiological Fasciola hepatica cross-sectional study in children from 4 through 14 years old from a community in Cajamarca, Peru. (3) Results: In a comparison of the bacterial genera that make up the intestinal microbiota between the F. hepatica positive and negative groups, it was found that there are significant differences in the determination of Lactobacillus (p = 0.010, CI: 8.5–61.4), Bacteroides (p = 0.020, CI: 18.5–61.4), Clostridium (p < 0.001, CI: 3.5–36.0), and Bifidobacterium (p = 0.018, CI: 1.1–28.3), with each of these genera being less frequent in children parasitized with F. hepatica. (4) Conclusions: These results show that F. hepatica may be associated with direct or indirect changes in the bacterial population of the intestinal microbiota, particularly affecting three bacterial genera.

1. Introduction

Fasciola hepatica is a food-borne trematode with worldwide distribution that causes infections in humans and animals [1]. Fascioliasis causes around 17 million cases, and 180 million people are at risk of infection worldwide, predominantly in resource-limited countries [1,2]. It was considered primarily a disease of ruminants; however, over the past two decades, human fascioliasis has gained significance as an important public health problem [3]. Moreover, the World Health Organization (WHO) now includes this disease in the list of the most important neglected tropical diseases (NTDs).
Human fascioliasis is considered an endemic and hyper-endemic disease in the Peruvian Andean valleys, particularly in areas where livestock breeding and freshwater plant ingestion are common [4,5]. However, many cases may remain underdiagnosed, as approximately 50% of human infections are asymptomatic [1]. The natural history of Fasciola hepatica infection is characterized by an acute phase, characterized by the migration of the juvenile parasite through the intestinal wall to the liver parenchyma, and a chronic phase in which mature parasites obstruct and cause biliary tract inflammation [3,4,5]. During both stages, the disease causes a large impact on human health owing to its high pathogenicity and immune modulation [2,6,7].
The treatment of fascioliasis is anthelmintic therapy. The drug of choice is triclabendazole, which has a cure rate greater than 90%. This drug has also been used in children under 6 years of age. The alternative option is nitazoxanide, although evidence is limited to observational studies [8,9]. Additional intervention may be needed depending on the nature of the clinical presentation. In these cases, biliary decompression (endoscopic, percutaneous, or surgical) may be justified [10,11].
The gut microbiota is now considered an “essential organ”, which possesses 150 times more genes than the ones found in the entire human genome, with symbiotic, physiological, and pathophysiological implications [12,13,14]. This bacterial community plays a pivotal role in human homeostasis and is involved in the extraction of nutrients from food, the maturation of the intestinal mucosa, immune-system development, and protection against opportunistic pathogens [12,14].
Infectious diseases are among the most common causes of imbalances in the composition and function of the microbiota, which are also known as dysbiosis [13,15]. Most reports studied the relationship between bacterial infections and gut microbiota. However, the interaction between helminths and gut microbiota has recently gained research interest and speculation in terms of host health [15]. There is a three-way interaction between the host, helminths, and the gut microbiome, which has a great influence on host health [15,16]. For example, both helminths and gut bacteria modulate the host’s immune system, reducing inflammatory responses directed against themselves and unrelated antigens [16,17].
Some studies in humans and animals have shown that parasitic infections cause changes in the composition and abundance of the microbiota [18,19,20,21,22]. This is because the animal intestine is a highly complex and polymicrobial ecosystem, with the intestinal microbiota affecting the entire host organism at different levels. For example, the microbiota is related to the regulation of lipid storage and the stimulation or renewal of epithelial cells, and it has an influence on the development and maturation of the brain and immune system. The microbiota have been described as playing a role in protection against infection by pathogenic bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites. Thus, maintaining homeostasis between the intestinal microbiota and the rest of the body is essential for health. However, the mechanisms that govern the interaction between the intestinal microbiota and parasites have not been clarified. Relevant information on the subject indicates that the composition of intestinal bacterial populations modulates the progression of infection by parasites, especially protozoa, while also modulating the outcome of the parasitic disease, which highlights the protective role of the microbiota against various infectious processes. In this context, the possible consequences of microbiota alterations in parasitic, allergic, and autoimmune disorders have also been studied [23]. Despite the above, the effect of F. hepatica infection on the human intestinal microbiota has not yet been studied. It is crucial to understand the mechanisms and pathways involved in the three-way interaction between the host individual, parasitic microorganisms, and the intestinal microbiota. In this context, the objective of this study was to identify variations in the composition of the intestinal microbiota of school-aged children with and without F. hepatica infection.

2. Materials and Methods

2.1. Patients and Sampling

A secondary analysis was performed using fecal samples stored in our biobank. The samples were collected as part of an epidemiological Fasciola hepatica cross-sectional study, which was conducted from April to June 2015 in children from 4 to 14 years old from a community in San Pablo (Cajamarca, Peru). The inclusion criteria were children of school age who lived in the study area for at least 6 months. Children who received antiparasitic treatment or laxatives in the 15 days prior to sample collection and individuals with other known parasitic infections were excluded from the study. The population studied was homogeneous, which reduces factors that could interfere with the interpretation of the results when analyzing the gut microbiota.

2.2. Ethics Statement

This study was approved by the Research Ethics Board of the Hospital Regional Docente de Cajamarca. The samples were obtained in the context of the epidemiological surveillance program of the DIRESA-Cajamarca through the comprehensive surveillance network and the specialized information system for the disease.

2.3. Samples and Sample Processing

2.3.1. Samples

Fecal samples were collected by the children’s caregivers in a sterile container and stored at −20 °C until they were processed. The data for each patient were obtained using an epidemiological questionnaire designed by the Peruvian Ministry of Health.

2.3.2. Detection of Fasciola hepatica by ELISA

Presence of F. hepatica was determined by ELISA using the commercial Bio-X Fasciola hepatica antigenic ELISA kit (Bio-X diagnostics, Rochefort, Belgium), according to manufacturer’s instructions. This kit is designed to detect excretory fecal antigens, based on the MM3-COPRO ELISA test. It is the only available commercial version of the aforementioned assay and has been validated as an effective mass screening tool in the field [24].

2.3.3. DNA Extraction

DNA was extracted from the sample aliquots using the innuPREP DNA stool kit (Analytik Jena, Jena, Germany), according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Extracted DNA was then eluted in 100 µL nuclease-free buffer and stored at −80 °C until use.

2.3.4. PCR Amplification for Detection of Gut Microbiota

We evaluated the presence of 13 representative bacteria genera in gut microbiota. The genera of bacteria analyzed were Actinobacteria, Bacteroides, Bacteroidetes, Bifidobacterium, Clostridium, Enterococcus, Eubacterium, Firmicutes, Fusobacterium, Lactobacillus, Prevotella, Proteobacteria, and Veillonella. The PCR was performed using primers and conditions described previously [25,26]. Specific primers targeting different bacterial genera were used to characterize the microbiota in fecal samples using real-time PCR. All PCR tests were carried out in duplicate, with a final volume of 20 μL. The time and temperature conditions used were the following: initial denaturation of the DNA at 95 °C for 10 min; 45 cycles of denaturation at 95 °C for 10 s; hybridization or annealing at optimal temperature for 20 s; and extension at 72 °C for 15 s. DNA extracted from each participant was subjected to human β-globin PCR to ensure that amplifiable DNA was successfully extracted from the sample and to control for PCR inhibitors with the described reaction conditions. In each analysis, negative controls containing all elements of the reaction mixture except the extracted DNA were performed, and no amplified product was detected under these conditions [25].

2.4. Statistical Analysis

The database was managed using Microsoft Excel, the statistical analysis was performed using Minitab18, and the graphics were created using OriginPro v10 software. Qualitative variables were reported as frequencies and percentages. A t-test or Kruskal–Wallis test was applied to evaluate differences for continuous variables. Categorical variables were assessed using χ2 test and Fisher’s exact test. Values of p < 0.05 were considered significant.

3. Results

The study participants were divided into two groups: those who had a negative antigen test for F. hepatica by ELISA and those who tested positive for the pathogen. No differences were found by age group between 4 to 8 years and 9 to 14 years. Nor were any differences found between parasitized and non-parasitized according to gender (Table 1).
In the analysis of the risk factors for contracting F. hepatica, no differences were found between both groups in reference to the drinks and foods ingested and being in contact with livestock (Table 2).
The clinical symptoms related to parasitosis that were present in both study groups were evaluated, such as abdominal pain in the last 3 months, weight loss in the last 3 months, diarrhea in the last 3 months, headache, nausea, vomiting, fever, and abdominal pain. For each of these clinical characteristics, no differences were found between the F. hepatica positive and negative groups. However, a higher frequency of vomiting and diarrhea was observed in the last 3 months in the group parasitized by F. hepatica (Table 3).
In a comparison of the bacterial genera that make up the intestinal microbiota between the F. hepatica positive and negative groups, it was found that there are significant differences in the determination of Lactobacillus (p = 0.010, CI: 8.5–61.4), Bacteroides (p = 0.020, CI: 18.5–61.4), Clostridium (p < 0.001, CI: 3.5–36.0), and Bifidobacterium (p = 0.018, CI: 1.1–28.3), with each of these genera being less frequent in children parasitized with F. hepatica. In the other nine bacterial genera evaluated, Prevotella, Firmicutes, Bacteroidetes, Eubacterium, Proteobacteria, Enterococcus, Actinobacteria, Veillonella, and Fusobacterium, no differences were found between the studied groups (Figure 1, Table 4).

4. Discussion

Nowadays, it is important to understand the interaction between parasites, the intestinal microbiota and their effect on the host’s health. In this context, there are no studies that analyze F. hepatica parasitosis and its impact on the intestinal microbiota in children. Firstly, the participants were divided into two groups according to the presence or absence of parasitosis by this microorganism, and their demographic and clinical characteristics were evaluated without observing significant variations between both groups. Previous studies also did not find significant differences between 36 analyzed variables, including demographic data and clinical symptoms, between groups of parasitized and non-parasitized children [27].
In our study, children with fascioliasis showed a lower frequency in the identification of Bacteroides, Bifidobacterium, Lactobacillus, and Clostridium compared with children who tested negative for this parasitosis. These findings suggest that the presence of this parasite may be associated with variations in the microbiota, particularly affecting the number of beneficial commensal bacteria. There are several mechanisms by which helminths can alter the intestinal microbiota, either through direct or indirect interaction. For example, during its biological cycle, Fasciola penetrates the intestinal mucosa to migrate toward the liver parenchyma, which in turn can affect the bacterial population residing in the intestine [1]. It was reported that helminths can alter mucus production and epithelial permeability, producing changes in the microbiota [17].
Furthermore, it was described that F. hepatica can modulate the immune system and its response against different antigens, including those of the resident bacteria that make up the intestinal microbiota [15,16,17]. It was also shown that this parasite can affect inflammasome activation and consequently cause microbial dysbiosis [17,28,29]. This behavior may be due to interactions between the gut microbiota and liver disease caused by F. hepatica. In this context, it is known that some hepatic metabolites, such as bile acids, influence the microbial composition of the intestine through the hepatic portal system and bile secretion systems [30,31]. The imbalance of the intestinal microbiota was described in patients with liver disease caused, for example, by the hepatitis B virus (HBV), where an increase in bacterial translocation and the presence of endotoxins at the level of the portal vein are described. This would explain the activation of the Toll-like receptor (TLR) and the NOD-like receptor (NLR) in the liver. Both activated TLR-NLR receptors would enhance a general inflammatory response in the host, dependent on pro-inflammatory signal transduction pathways such as those mediated by nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB). At the same time, the production and secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines are accelerated, such as tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), which is involved in chronic inflammation processes and leads to the development of liver lesions [31,32,33,34]. This would partly explain why individuals who develop the disease present with liver lesions during ultrasound examination, eosinophilia in hematological examinations, and variations in the intestinal microbiota [35]. Regarding fascioliasis and liver lesions, migrating metacercariae cause the destruction of the liver parenchyma, causing necrosis and fibrosis. In addition, adult trematodes can obstruct the bile ducts, resulting in thickening, dilation, and fibrosis of the proximal biliary tree, as they reside in the host bile ducts [36]. Liver damage is correlated with the parasite load and the lifespan of adult F. hepatica trematodes, which in humans is 9 to 13 years. The infestation has two phases. In the acute phase, metacercaria migration through the liver is associated with fever, right upper-quadrant pain, and hepatomegaly. This phase can be complicated by hemobilia or subcapsular hematomas of the liver [37]. In very severe infections, extensive necrosis of the liver parenchyma may occur. In the chronic phase, obstruction of the common bile duct can develop, causing biliary colic, cholangitis, cholelithiasis, and obstructive jaundice. A prolonged and/or severe infection can also cause sclerosing cholangitis and biliary cirrhosis [38,39].
Our results show that the frequency of beneficial bacteria such as Bacteroides, Bifidobacterium, Lactobacillus, and Clostridium decreased in infected children. These bacteria are commensal microorganisms that play an essential role in host intestinal homeostasis and the development of the immune system, specifically the gut-associated lymphoid tissue (GALT) [40]. The colonization of germ-free mice with the genus Bacteroides improved their underdeveloped intestinal immune system, producing an increase in lymphoid tissue in Preyer’s plaques and activating the T cell-related immune response [41]. Furthermore, Bacteroides plays a role in preventing specific Clostridium difficile infections [41,42]. Commensals Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium maintain intestinal homeostasis and exhibit a protective role against irritable bowel disease and inflammatory bowel disease [43]. Both have been used as probiotics because they can inhibit the growth of harmful bacteria, improve gastrointestinal barrier function, and suppress the production and release of pro-inflammatory cytokines [43,44]. The genus of commensal bacteria Clostridium has multiple important metabolic functions through the release of butyrate, which is an essential metabolite for colonocytes [45]. Indeed, butyrate inhibits the activation of the transcription factor NF-kB, leading to a decrease in the expression of proinflammatory cytokines [46,47]. It also demonstrates a protective effect against colitis and colorectal cancer, showing an apoptotic effect on tumor cells in vitro [47]. Due to the above, the decrease in these bacterial populations would have an unfavorable impact on the health of the population. There are no published human studies that provide estimates of the impact of the liver worm Fasciola hepatica on the composition and relative abundance of intestinal microbial communities. However, a study carried out in non-human mammals reported that F. hepatica reduced the diversity in both prokaryotic and eukaryotic microorganisms of the intestinal microbiota. Ramírez et al. highlighted that the composition of the intestinal microbiota is affected by other factors in addition to the studied variable, such as diet, age, geographical location, and previous diseases [48,49]. By taking these considerations into account, we highlight the homogeneous characteristics in age, diet, and geographical location of our population. Furthermore, since these were children between 4 and 14 years of age, chronic diseases were not considered as a factor that could alter the composition of the intestinal microbiota, such as type 2 diabetes mellitus [50].
With regard to the impact of the infection caused by other parasites on the bacterial genera analyzed in our research, there is increasing evidence that parasitic infections have a detrimental effect on the intestinal microbiota. For example, it was decribed that parasitosis by Trichuris muris in mice was associated with a reduction in the diversity and abundance of Bacteroidetes and Prevotella, with attenuated assimilation of carbohydrates and a reduction in vitamin D derivatives [18]. Furthermore, the presence of Blastocystis was associated with a significant decrease in protective bacteria such as Bifidobacterium in patients with irritable bowel disease [20]. Children infected with Schistosoma hemaetobium, another foodborne trematode, showed a higher abundance of bacteria than healthy children, with Bacteroidetes, Firmicutes, and Proteobacteria being the most abundant phyla [21].
The studies we reviewed on the impact of parasitosis on the intestinal microbiota focused on the fact that the parasite needs a host to survive so it interacts and influences the microbiota. The parasite involved in microbiota alterations can be an intestinal parasite or a liver parasite. This is how Blastocystis is associated with changes in the composition of the intestinal microbiota; these changes have the Firmicutes–Bacteroidetes relationship as an indicator. On the other hand, it was found that the Bifidobacterium genus was significantly reduced in patients with both irritable bowel syndrome and Blastocystis, in addition to a significant decrease in Faecalibacterium prausnitzii, which has anti-inflammatory properties in Blastocystis infection. It was also reported that Lactobacillus species are involved in reducing the presence of Giardia, and the bacteriocins produced prevent the adhesion of the parasite. The presence of helminths, in particular as intestinal parasites, has been strongly associated with the transition from Bacteroidetes to Firmicutes and Clostridia. However, we report that there are no changes in Bacteroidetes between individuals parasitized and non-parasitized by Fasciola hepatica. In this context, microbiota studies have recently gained importance, and it is expected that they will contribute in the future to the understanding and management of various diseases as well as the fight against parasitic diseases [51].
Based on what was mentioned in the studies reviewed and according to our results, it is worth highlighting that helminth infections are recognized as a growing public health problem. This consideration covers Latin America and worldwide, especially developing countries where there is a lack of hygienic conditions due to socioeconomic factors that often imply a precarious quality of life in the population. Although published reports on the relationship between helminths and intestinal microbiota focused on parasites that have tropism for the intestines, we report a helminth with liver tropism that can alter intestinal physiology and other cellular parameters such as permeability, mucus secretion, and the production of antimicrobial peptides that cause dysbiosis. These microorganisms, in fact, survive among different commensal bacterial populations and can have an effect on altering the structure of the intestinal microbiota. Therefore, it is suggested that helminth infection influences the total number of bacterial species observed in the intestines of children [17,51].

5. Conclusions

We performed the first study examining the impact of F. hepatica parasitosis in the presence of 13 genera of bacteria representative of the intestinal microbiota. These results show that F. hepatica may be associated with direct or indirect changes in the bacterial population of the intestinal microbiota, particularly affecting three bacterial genera. More studies are needed to elucidate the complex relationship between F. hepatica and the intestinal microbiota and its effect on host health. Considering that these microorganisms affect the microbiome of the mammalian host in a species-specific way, therein lies the importance of our research.

Limitations

A limitation of this study is that given the nature of the study design, we could not determine whether the infection by F. hepatica causes gut microbiota dysbiosis or if certain microbiota profiles make subjects more susceptible to infection by this parasite. Another limitation is that we did not perform quantification of the bacteria and only determined the presence or absence of certain bacteria. Finally, it was reported that infection by F. hepatica is usually accompanied by coinfection by other helminths; therefore, the roles of other concomitant infections need to be elucidated.

Author Contributions

Conceptualization, W.S.-C., H.C.-N., and J.d.V.-M.; methodology, J.d.V.-M., H.C.-N., and W.S.-C.; software, J.d.V.-M., H.C.-N., and L.J.D.V. ; validation, J.d.V.-M., Y.T.-C., C.P.-R., and M.A.A.-L.; formal analysis, H.C.-N., W.S.-C., J.d.V.-M., and L.J.D.V. ; investigation, H.C.-N., Y.T.-C., N.U., J.B.-M., W.S.-C., M.A.A.-L., J.d.V.-M., and C.P.-R.; resources, W.S.-C. and J.d.V.-M.; data curation, H.C.-N., J.d.V.-M., and W.S.-C.; writing—original draft preparation, W.S.-C., J.d.V.-M., H.C.-N., C.T.-V., N.U., C.P.-R., Y.T.-C., and L.J.D.V.; writing—review and editing, H.C.-N., W.S.-C., and J.d.V.-M.; supervision, J.B.-M., W.S.-C., and M.A.A.-L.; project administration, W.S.-C., M.A.A.-L., and J.d.V.-M.; funding acquisition W.S.-C., M.A.A.-L., and J.d.V.-M.; experiments and obtaining laboratory data, M.A.A.-L., C.P.-R., C.T.-V., and Y.T.-C.; and clinical data collection and patient samples, W.S.-C., C.T.-V., M.A.A.-L., N.U., and J.B.-M. All authors have read and agreed to the published version of the manuscript.

Funding

This work was supported by the Dirección de Investigación of the Universidad Peruana de Ciencias Aplicadas, Lima- Peru. Grant (A-068–2020-UPC).

Institutional Review Board Statement

The study was carried out in accordance with the guidelines of the Declaration of Helsinki and was approved by the Research Ethics Board of the Hospital Regional Docente de Cajamarca.

Informed Consent Statement

This is a secondary analysis, and informed consent was obtained from all subjects involved in the study.

Data Availability Statement

Data are contained within the article.

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

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Microorganisms 12 00371 g001
Figure 1. Gut microbiota composition according to F. hepatica infection diagnosed by ELISA. * p < 0.05, Fisher’s exact test.
Figure 1. Gut microbiota composition according to F. hepatica infection diagnosed by ELISA. * p < 0.05, Fisher’s exact test.
Microorganisms 12 00371 g001
Table 1. Frequency of F. hepatica infection diagnosed by ELISA in school-aged children from San Pablo, Cajamarca, according to age and gender.
Table 1. Frequency of F. hepatica infection diagnosed by ELISA in school-aged children from San Pablo, Cajamarca, according to age and gender.
CharacteristicsTotalELISA− ELISA+Odds RatioFisher Exact Test
p
Frequency
N = 103 (%)		Frequency
N = 87 (%)		Frequency
N = 16 (%)		95% CI
Age (range years)
   4–845 (43.7)38 (43.7)7 (43.8)23.1–66.81.0031.000
   9–1458 (56.3)49 (56.3)9 (56.2)33.2–76.91.0001.000
Gender
   Female48 (46.6)41 (47.1)7 (43.8)23.1–66.80.8731.000
   Male55 (53.4)46 (52.9)9 (56.2)33.2–76.91.1461.000
Table 2. Risk factors for F. hepatica infection in school-aged children from San Pablo, Cajamarca.
Table 2. Risk factors for F. hepatica infection in school-aged children from San Pablo, Cajamarca.
Risk Factors TotalELISA− ELISA+Odds RatioFisher Exact Test
p
Frequency
N = 103 (%)		Frequency
N = 87 (%)		Frequency
N = 16 (%)		95% CI
DrinksBoiled water80 (77.7)69 (79.3)11 (78.6)44.4–85.80.5740.344
Non-boiled water72 (69.9)58 (66.7)14 (87.5)64.0–96.53.5000.139
Emollients/infusions33 (32.0)32 (36.8)1 (6.2)1.1–28.30.1150.018
Ditch water18 (17.5)11 (12.6)7 (43.8)23.1–66.85.3740.007
MealAndean lupin99 (96.1)84 (96.6)15 (93.8)71.7–98.90.5360.497
Raw lettuce96 (93.2)81 (93.1)15 (93.8)71.7–98.91.1111.000
Raw salad84 (81.6)79 (90.8)15 (93.8)71.7–98.91.5191.000
Watercress34 (33.0)31 (35.6)3 (18.8)6.6–43.00.4170.253
Chews grass10 (9.7)10 (11.5)0 (0.0%)0.0–19.40.0000.355
Livestock
contact		Yes95 (92.2)80 (92.0)15 (93.8)71.7–98.91.3121.000
No8 (7.8)7 (8.0)1 (6.2)1.1–28.30.7621.000
Table 3. Clinical symptoms associated with F. hepatica infection diagnosed by ELISA in school-aged children from San Pablo, Cajamarca.
Table 3. Clinical symptoms associated with F. hepatica infection diagnosed by ELISA in school-aged children from San Pablo, Cajamarca.
Clinical SymptomsELISA−ELISA+Odds RatioFisher Test
p
Frequency
N = 87 (%)		Frequency
N = 16 (%)		95% CI
Abdominal pain in the last 3 months66 (75.9)11 (68.8)44.4–85.80.7000.543
Weight loss in the last 3 months47 (54.0)9 (56.2)33.2–76.91.0941.000
Diarrhea in the last 3 months17 (19.5)5 (31.2)14.2–55.61.8720.325
Headache8 (9.2)1 (6.2)1.1–28.30.6581.000
Nausea6 (6.9)2 (12.5)3.5–36.01.9290.607
Vomiting5 (5.7)3 (18.8)6.6–43.03.7850.106
Fever5 (5.7)2 (12.5)3.5–36.02.3430.297
Abdominal pain2 (2.3)1 (6.2)1.1–28.32.8330.401
Table 4. Comparison between gut microbiota composition and F. hepatica infection in school-aged children from San Pablo, Cajamarca, Peru.
Table 4. Comparison between gut microbiota composition and F. hepatica infection in school-aged children from San Pablo, Cajamarca, Peru.
BacteriumELISA−ELISA+Fisher Test
p
Frequency
N = 87 (%)		Frequency
N = 16 (%)		95% CI
Prevotella87 (100.0)15 (93.8)71.1–98.90.155
Firmicutes85 (97.7)16 (100.0)80.6–100.01.000
Bacteroidetes85 (97.7)15 (93.8)71.1–98.90.401
Eubacterium78 (89.7)15 (93.8)71.7–98.91.000
Proteobacteria75 (86.2)11 (68.8)44.4–85.80.135
Lactobacillus63 (72.4)6 (37.5)18.5–61.40.010
Bacteroides61 (70.1)6 (37.5)18.5–61.40.020
Clostridium60 (69.0)2 (12.5)3.5–36.0<0.001
Enterococcus53 (60.9)8 (50.0)2.8–72.00.423
Bifidobacterium32 (36.8)1 (6.2)1.1–28.30.018
Actinobacteria20 (23.0)4 (25.0)10.2–49.51.000
Veillonella5 (5.8)0 (0.0)0.0–19.41.000
Fusobacterium5 (5.8)0 (0.0)0.0–19.41.000
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Silva-Caso, W.; Carrillo-Ng, H.; Aguilar-Luis, M.A.; Tarazona-Castro, Y.; Valle, L.J.D.; Tinco-Valdez, C.; Palomares-Reyes, C.; Urteaga, N.; Bazán-Mayra, J.; Valle-Mendoza, J.d. Parasitosis by Fasciola hepatica and Variations in Gut Microbiota in School-Aged Children from Peru. Microorganisms 2024, 12, 371. https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms12020371

AMA Style

Silva-Caso W, Carrillo-Ng H, Aguilar-Luis MA, Tarazona-Castro Y, Valle LJD, Tinco-Valdez C, Palomares-Reyes C, Urteaga N, Bazán-Mayra J, Valle-Mendoza Jd. Parasitosis by Fasciola hepatica and Variations in Gut Microbiota in School-Aged Children from Peru. Microorganisms. 2024; 12(2):371. https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms12020371

Chicago/Turabian Style

Silva-Caso, Wilmer, Hugo Carrillo-Ng, Miguel Angel Aguilar-Luis, Yordi Tarazona-Castro, Luis J. Del Valle, Carmen Tinco-Valdez, Carlos Palomares-Reyes, Numan Urteaga, Jorge Bazán-Mayra, and Juana del Valle-Mendoza. 2024. "Parasitosis by Fasciola hepatica and Variations in Gut Microbiota in School-Aged Children from Peru" Microorganisms 12, no. 2: 371. https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms12020371

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