A new study has identified the master regulator that maintains a healthy gut and limits damage by parasitic whipworms. Researchers from the Wellcome Sanger Institute and collaborators have revealed that the interleukin 10 receptor (IL-10R) is critical to prevent uncontrolled whipworm infection in mice and a damaging immune response in the gut.
The study, published Jan. 31, 2019 in PLOS Pathogens, helps understand the signalling mechanism that maintains a balance between the host, whipworms and gut bacteria. Unravelling this signalling mechanism will help scientists understand immune response to other parasites and will shed light on pathways that could be involved in the control of other diseases such as inflammatory bowel disease and allergies.
The gut is home to millions of bacteria, known as the microbiota, and also to parasites such as whipworms. The human whipworm - Trichuris trichiura - infects approximately 500 million people globally, causing the neglected tropical disease Trichuriasis, and has evolved over millennia to infect the intestines and reproduce there.
The health of the host is important for a parasite, as it needs a live host to survive and reproduce. The researchers found that the worm, the gut, the immune system and the microbiota form a finely balanced ecosystem.
Dr. Maria Duque-Correa, first author from the Wellcome Sanger Institute, said, "This work shows how any change in the host or microbiota will also change the response to whipworms. Interactions between the host cells, microbiota and whipworms, enable the whipworms to survive in infected individuals and now we've found a master regulator of those interactions."
Certain immune signalling molecules -- called interleukins -- had previously been implicated in host immune response to worm infection, regulating inflammation in the gut. To further understand their role in this balanced ecosystem, researchers studied mice that were missing genes from the interleukin 10 (IL-10) superfamily of receptors to see how they responded to whipworm infection.
The researchers discovered that a specific IL-10R receptor was critical for regulation. They found that lack of IL-10R regulation led to an uncontrolled immune response that damaged the gut lining and failed to produce protective mucus. The worms invading the gut-lining cells, destroyed the barrier between the gut and the host, enabling bacteria to cross over into the rest of the body, causing fatal infection.
Professor Richard Grencis, an author from the University of Manchester, said, "This is the first study revealing the master role of IL-10R in regulating the response to whipworm, and controlling the microbiota. We discovered the absence of this crucial signalling pathway leads to disturbed microbiota and uncontrolled inflammation that destroys the gut lining allowing microbes to invade and cause liver failure."
Dr. Matt Berriman, senior author from the Wellcome Sanger Institute, said, "Our discovery of the importance of the IL-10R signalling pathway for gut regulation not only helps us understand the immune response to parasites, it also has implications for other diseases. Further research to better understand this immune signalling pathway could open up new ways of finding treatments for diseases caused by an over-active immune system such as allergies, inflammatory bowel disease or asthma."
Source: Wellcome Sanger Institute
Stay prepared and protected with Infection Control Today's newsletter, delivering essential updates, best practices, and expert insights for infection preventionists.
Reducing Hidden Risks: Why Sharps Injuries Still Go Unreported
July 18th 2025Despite being a well-known occupational hazard, sharps injuries continue to occur in health care facilities and are often underreported, underestimated, and inadequately addressed. A recent interview with sharps safety advocate Amanda Heitman, BSN, RN, CNOR, a perioperative educational consultant, reveals why change is overdue and what new tools and guidance can help.
New Study Explores Oral Vancomycin to Prevent C difficile Recurrence, But Questions Remain
July 17th 2025A new clinical trial explores the use of low-dose oral vancomycin to prevent Clostridioides difficile recurrence in high-risk patients taking antibiotics. While the data suggest a possible benefit, the findings stop short of statistical significance and raise red flags about vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus (VRE), underscoring the delicate balance between prevention and antimicrobial stewardship.
What Lies Beneath: Why Borescopes Are Essential for Verifying Surgical Instrument Cleanliness
July 16th 2025Despite their smooth, polished exteriors, surgical instruments often harbor dangerous contaminants deep inside their lumens. At the HSPA25 and APIC25 conferences, Cori L. Ofstead, MSPH, and her colleagues revealed why borescopes are an indispensable tool for sterile processing teams, offering the only reliable way to verify internal cleanliness and improve sterile processing effectiveness to prevent patient harm.
The Next Frontier in Infection Control: AI-Driven Operating Rooms
Published: July 15th 2025 | Updated: July 15th 2025Discover how AI-powered sensors, smart surveillance, and advanced analytics are revolutionizing infection prevention in the OR. Herman DeBoard, PhD, discusses how these technologies safeguard sterile fields, reduce SSIs, and help hospitals balance operational efficiency with patient safety.
Targeting Uncertainty: Why Pregnancy May Be the Best Time to Build Vaccine Confidence
July 15th 2025New national survey data reveal high uncertainty among pregnant individuals—especially first-time parents—about vaccinating their future children, underscoring the value of proactive engagement to strengthen infection prevention.