Research Advances in the Association Between Gut Microbiota and Hepatic Alveolar Echinococcosis: A Review Study

Abstract

Context: The liver and intestines are closely connected anatomically and functionally, with the liver constantly exposed to large amounts of bacterial components and metabolic products from the gut. Alterations in the gut microbiota composition play a key role in the pathogenesis and progression of various liver diseases, potentially driving hepatic steatosis, inflammation, and fibrosis through immune-mediated mechanisms and multifactorial interactions. Strategies to modulate the gut microbiota, such as the use of prebiotics, probiotics, and antibiotics, have been proven effective in managing complications of certain severe liver diseases, such as hepatic encephalopathy. Additionally, dysbiosis of the microbiota is involved in the onset and progression of liver echinococcosis. Evidence Acquisition: We conducted a detailed literature search on studies regarding gut microbiota in liver diseases. Relevant literature was collected from databases such as PubMed, EMBASE, and LILACS, and research articles published between January 2000 and December 2024 were obtained by applying appropriate keywords. Results: This article synthesizes the results of multiple studies, emphasizes the limitations of current scoring systems, summarizes research on liver diseases and gut microbiota, and predicts the latest progress in research on the interaction between gut microbiota and the pathogenesis of hepatic alveolar echinococcosis (HAE). Conclusions: An in-depth exploration of the gut microbiota composition and metabolic profile changes in patients with HAE is critical for a comprehensive understanding of the pathophysiological mechanisms underlying this complex disease. These findings lay an essential theoretical foundation for the future development of novel therapeutic and preventive strategies targeting the modulation of the gut microbiota in HAE. This review aims to summarize the latest advancements in this field and provide a reference framework for subsequent research endeavors.