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. 2019 Oct 10;15(10):e1008028.
doi: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1008028. eCollection 2019 Oct.

Parasite microbiome project: Grand challenges

Nolwenn M Dheilly  1 , Joaquín Martínez Martínez  2 , Karyna Rosario  3 , Paul J Brindley  4   5 , Raina N Fichorova  6 , Jonathan Z Kaye  7 , Kevin D Kohl  8 , Laura J Knoll  9 , Julius Lukeš  10 , Susan L Perkins  11 , Robert Poulin  12 , Lynn Schriml  13 , Luke R Thompson  14   15
Affiliations

Parasite microbiome project: Grand challenges

Nolwenn M Dheilly et al. PLoS Pathog. .
No abstract available

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.

Figures

Fig 1
Fig 1. The complex nature and interrelations of host–parasite–microbe interactions are illustrated using a Matryoshka (Russian nesting) doll metaphor.
The PMP aims to elucidate nested interactions between a given host and parasites (e.g., helminths and protists) that are themselves hosts to their own symbionts and parasites (e.g., viruses and bacteria). Artwork by Meredith Brindley (http://meredithbrindley.com/). PMP, Parasite Microbiome Project.
Fig 2
Fig 2. Examples conveying context-dependent usage of the microbiome and holobiont concepts in parasitology.
(A) Procercoid stage of the cestode Schistocephalus solidus in the body cavity of a cyclopoid copepod. The Pam may be collected from procercoids. The De is the body cavity of the copepod. The Ham may be collected from the gut or other host tissues whereas the Em may be collected from the water. (B) Oocyst of Toxoplasma gondii that sporulated upon excretion with cat feces. The Pam may be collected from purified oocysts. Distinction between the Ham, De, and Em is difficult. (C) Trypanosoma sp. among red blood cells. The Em is not represented. The intracellular microbes potentially present within red blood cells may be considered Ham whereas microbes within the plasma can be considered in the De of the parasite. Image credits: M. Hahn; L. Knoll and J. P. Dubey; J. Lukeš. De, direct environment; Em, environmental microbiome; Ham, host-associated microbiome; Pam, parasite-associated microbiome.
Fig 3
Fig 3. Proposed workflow for processing PMP samples from parasites and host tissues.
PMP, Parasite Microbiome Project.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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