Polymicrobial-Host Interactions during Infection
Wei Hong Tay1, Kelvin Kian Long Chong1, Kimberly A Kline2
1Singapore Centre for Environmental Life Sciences Engineering, School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, 60 Nanyang Drive, 637551, Singapore; Singapore Centre for Environmental Life Sciences Engineering, Interdisciplinary Graduate School, Nanyang Technological University, 60 Nanyang Drive,637551, Singapore.
Abstract:
Microbial pathogenesis research has, historically, focused on the study of infections as monomicrobial events. However, the advent of next generation sequencing and culture-independent identification methods has revealed that many, if not most, infections are polymicrobial either in origin or in manifestation. Polymicrobial infections are often associated with increased infection severity and poorer patient outcome. Multiple infecting microbes can interact synergistically to induce virulence traits, alter the infected niche, or modulate the host immune response, all of which can promote polymicrobial infection. Importantly, a polymicrobial environment at the time of inoculation, consisting of multiple pathogens or pathogens in combination with the native microbiota, can contribute to the pathogenic progression of a single predominant organism at the time of diagnosis. Hence, in order to completely understand and elucidate the impact of these polymicrobial interactions on infection outcomes, a thorough examination of the entire microbial community present throughout the pathogenic cascade is required: from the time of inoculation to symptomology to resolution. In this review, we highlight the themes of metabolite exploitation, immune modulation, niche optimization, and virulence induction that contribute to polymicrobial infections. We focus on recent literature about microbe-microbe and microbe-host interactions that promote polymicrobial infections with an emphasis on understanding these interactions to identify better interventions for these sometimes complex infections.
Insights
Polymicrobial infections, involving multiple microbes, often lead to severe disease and poor outcomes. Understanding microbe-microbe and microbe-host interactions is crucial for developing effective treatments for these complex infections.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Infectious Diseases
- Host-Pathogen Interactions
Background:
- Historically, microbial pathogenesis research focused on single-organism infections.
- Advanced sequencing reveals most infections are polymicrobial, increasing severity and impacting patient outcomes.
- Polymicrobial infections involve synergistic interactions that enhance virulence and alter host immunity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the literature on microbe-microbe and microbe-host interactions in polymicrobial infections.
- To highlight key themes contributing to polymicrobial pathogenesis, including metabolite exploitation, immune modulation, niche optimization, and virulence induction.
- To emphasize the need for a comprehensive understanding of microbial communities throughout infection progression for better therapeutic strategies.
Main Methods:
- Review of recent scientific literature on polymicrobial infections.
- Analysis of studies focusing on synergistic interactions between multiple microbes and between microbes and the host.
- Synthesis of findings related to metabolite exchange, immune system modulation, niche adaptation, and virulence factor expression.
Main Results:
- Polymicrobial infections are driven by complex interactions, including synergistic virulence and immune evasion.
- Metabolite exploitation, immune modulation, niche optimization, and virulence induction are key mechanisms.
- The presence of native microbiota or multiple pathogens at inoculation can influence infection progression.
- Understanding these interactions is vital for predicting and managing infection outcomes.
Conclusions:
- Polymicrobial infections represent a significant challenge in clinical settings due to their complexity and severity.
- Interventions targeting specific microbe-microbe or microbe-host interactions hold promise for novel therapeutic approaches.
- A holistic view of the microbial community dynamics is essential for advancing the field of infectious disease research.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
01:22Microbial Interactions: Parasitism
01:25Colonisation of Pathogens
01:26Factors Affecting the Risk of Infection
The integrity and count of the white blood cells help the body resist pathogens and fight infection. When impaired, it reduces the body's resistance to pathogens. The acidic pH levels of the gastrointestinal, genitourinary tracts, and skin...
01:26Microbial Interactions: Cooperation
01:27The Oral Microbiota
01:25Microbial Interactions: Mutualism