02304nas a2200277   4500000000100000008004100001260001600042653001600058653001400074653002900088653003300117653003100150653002800181100002500209700001300234700001900247700001800266700001600284700001900300700001400319245012400333300001100457490000800468520153600476022001402012       2024                            d  bElsevier BV10aepigenetics10aDysbiosis10aGut microbiome diversity10aLive biotherapeutic products10aNext-generation probiotics10aShort-chain fatty acids1 aSchemczssen-Graeff Z1 aSilva CR1 ade Freitas PNN1 aConstantin PP1 aPileggi SAV1 aOlchanheski LR1 aPileggi M00aProbiotics as a strategy for addressing helminth infections in low-income countries: Working smarter rather than richer  a1163630 v2263 a<p>Helminth infections, which affect approximately 1.5 billion individuals worldwide (mainly children), are common in low- and middle-income tropical countries and can lead to various diseases. One crucial factor affecting the occurrence of these diseases is the reduced diversity of the gut microbiome due to antibiotic use. This reduced diversity compromises immune health in hosts and alters host gene expression through epigenetic mechanisms. Helminth infections may produce complex biochemical signatures that could serve as therapeutic targets. Such therapies include next-generation probiotics, live biotherapeutic products, and biochemical drug approaches. Probiotics can bind ferric hydroxide, reducing the iron that is available to opportunistic microorganisms. They also produce short-chain fatty acids associated with immune response modulation, oral tolerance facilitation, and inflammation reduction. In this review, we examine the potential link between these effects and epigenetic changes in immune response-related genes by analyzing methyltransferase-related genes within probiotic strains discussed in the literature. The identified genes were only correlated with methylation in bacterial genes. Various metabolic interactions among hosts, helminth parasites, and intestinal microbiomes can impact the immune system, potentially aiding or hindering worm expulsion through chemical signaling. Implementing a comprehensive strategy using probiotics may reduce the impact of drug-resistant helminth strains.</p>
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