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Parasite-associated microbiomes: An unseen microenvironment
Peter McCann1, Julianne Megaw1, Geoffrey N Gobert1
1Queen's University Belfast, School of Biological Sciences, Belfast, Northern Ireland.
Advances in Parasitology
|May 27, 2026
Summary
Parasites host complex microbial communities, known as parasite-associated microbiomes, influencing their survival and host interactions. Understanding these multi-kingdom ecosystems is crucial for controlling parasitic diseases and improving health.
Area of Science:
- Parasitology and Microbial Ecology
- Explores the intricate relationship between parasites and their associated microbial communities.
Background:
- Parasites harbor diverse microbial ecosystems (bacteria, archaea, fungi, viruses, eukaryotes) that significantly impact parasite biology and host interactions.
- Current research on parasite-associated microbiomes is fragmented, often limited to bacteria and human parasites, neglecting broader multi-kingdom diversity and other parasite groups.
Purpose of the Study:
- To synthesize current knowledge on parasite-associated microbiomes across various parasite types (helminths, protozoa, ectoparasites, plant parasites).
- To highlight challenges and future directions in studying these complex multi-kingdom communities and their role in parasitism.
Main Methods:
- Literature synthesis across helminths, protozoa, ectoparasites, and plant-infecting parasites.
- Discussion of challenges including low biomass, host contamination, and the need for multi-kingdom analytical tools and reference genomes.
Main Results:
- Parasite-associated microbiomes are increasingly recognized as key determinants of parasite development, fitness, virulence, and host interactions.
- Significant knowledge gaps exist, particularly concerning non-bacterial associates and neglected parasite groups.
Conclusions:
- A multi-kingdom, holobiont-focused approach is essential for a comprehensive understanding of parasitism.
- Harnessing knowledge of parasite-microbiome interactions may offer novel strategies for parasite control and mitigating the impact of parasitic diseases on health, agriculture, and ecosystems.
Keywords:
EndosymbiontHolobiontHost–parasite interactionMetagenomicsMicrobiome engineeringParasite microbiomeParasitic disease controlSymbiosisMore Related Videos
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