Small Intestinal Levels of the Branched Short-Chain Fatty Acid Isovalerate Are Elevated during Infection with Heligmosomoides polygyrus and Can Promote Helminth Fecundity
Mia H. E. Kennedy, Tara P. Brosschot, Katherine M. Lawrence, Rachael D. FitzPatrick, Jenna M. Lane, Grace M. Mariene, James D. Wasmuth, Lisa A. Reynolds
Abstract
Heligmosomoides polygyrus is a helminth which naturally infects mice and is widely used as a laboratory model of chronic small intestinal helminth infection. While it is known that infection with H. polygyrus alters the composition of the host’s bacterial microbiota, the functional implications of this alteration are unclear.
Topics & Concepts
BiologyHeligmosomoides polygyrusFecundityHelminthsIsovalerateHelminthiasisAnthelminticImmunologyMicrobiologyZoologyBiochemistryEnvironmental healthMedicineButyrateFermentationPopulationParasites and Host InteractionsHelminth infection and controlGut microbiota and health