Microbial and metabolic signatures among <i>Blastocystis</i> subtypes ST1-ST9 in xenic cultures.

ABSTRACT: Blastocystis is the most prevalent intestinal protist in humans, yet its role in gut health remains poorly understood. Increasing evidence suggests subtype-specific interactions with the gut microbiome and metabolome may underlie its variable associations with health and disease. In this pilot study, we performed an integrated analysis of the microbiota and metabolite profiles of nine Blastocystis subtypes (ST1-ST9) grown in vitro using xenic cultures. Using 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing and proton nuclear magnetic resonance (¹H-NMR) metabolomics, we characterised the microbial communities and extracellular metabolites across subtypes. ST3 exhibited the most distinct microbiome and metabolomic profile, characterised by a significant enrichment of short-chain

SUBMITTER: Shaw D 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12863048 | biostudies-literature | 2025

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature