Gut Microbiome Profiles in Colonizations with the Enteric Protozoa Blastocystis in Korean Populations

Abstract

The influence of unicellular eukaryotic microorganisms on human gut health and disease is largely unexplored. <i>Blastocystis</i> species commonly colonize the gut, but their clinical significance and ecological role are unclear. We evaluated the effect of <i>Blastocystis</i> colonization on the fecal microbiota of Koreans. In total, 39 <i>Blastocystis</i>-positive and -negative fecal samples were analyzed. The fecal microbiome was assessed by targeting the V3-V4 region of the bacterial 16S ribosomal gene. Bacterial diversity was greater in the <i>Blastocystis</i>-positive than in the <i>Blastocystis</i>-negative group. The bacterial community structure and phylogenetic diversity differed according to the presence of <i>Blastocystis</i>. The mean proportions of <i>Faecalibacterium</i> species and Ruminococcaceae were larger in the <i>Blastocystis</i>-positive group, and that of <i>Enterococcus</i> species was larger in the <i>Blastocystis</i>-negative group. Linear discriminant analysis showed that <i>Faecalibacterium, Prevotella 9</i>, Ruminococcaceae UCG-002, Muribaculaceae, Rikenellaceae, Acidaminococcaceae, <i>Phascolarctobacterium</i>, and Ruminococcaceae UCG-005 were highly enriched in the <i>Blastocystis</i>-positive group, whereas <i>Enterococcus hirae, Enterococcus faecalis, Enterococcus durans</i>, Enterococcaceae, Lactobacillales, and Bacilli were highly abundant in the <i>Blastocystis</i>-negative group. Overall, our results enlighten the notion that <i>Blastocystis</i> colonization is associated with a healthy gut microbiota.