Enteric Unicellular Eukaryotic Parasites and Gut Microbiota: Mechanisms and Ecology

Human-associated gut microbial communities are composed not only of bacteria but also of protozoa, whose role in the gut ecosystem is only recently starting to be uncovered. Trans-kingdom interactions have undoubtedly shaped human gut homeostasis due to hundreds of millions of years of co-evolution. For example, bacterial and eukaryotic microorganisms residing in the human gut can affect each other’s pathogenicity. However, most studies so far have focused on well-known pathogenic protozoa such as Giardia, Cryptosporidium and Entamoeba histolytica. In parallel, we know very little about the ecological interactions between gut bacteria and intestinal protozoa that are either non-pathogenic or whose pathogenicity is unknown or controversial, some of which might even be beneficial.

For this Research Topic, we welcome articles (preferably hypothesis-driven Original Research) focusing particularly on the following themes:

• Interaction between intestinal protozoa and the intestinal microbiota, concerning both potentially beneficial protozoa: Blastocystis spp., Dientamoeba fragilis, Entamoeba spp. (other than E. histolytica) and pathogenic protozoa: Cryptosporidium spp., E. histolytica, Giardia;
• Impact of intestinal protozoa on the host immune system;
• Methodology for studying (i) eukaryotic biodiversity in the gut ecosystem and (ii) the interaction between protozoa and bacteria (new in vitro models);
• Role intestinal protozoa can play in FMT (fecal transplantation).