Gut virome: New key players in the pathogenesis of inflammatory bowel disease

Abstract

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic inflammatory illness of the intestine. While the mechanism underlying the pathogenesis of IBD is not fully understood, it is believed that a complex combination of host immunological response, environmental exposure, particularly the gut microbiota, and genetic susceptibility represents the major determinants. The gut virome is a group of viruses found in great frequency in the gastrointestinal tract of humans. The gut virome varies greatly among individuals and is influenced by factors including lifestyle, diet, health and disease conditions, geography, and urbanization. The majority of research has focused on the significance of gut bacteria in the progression of IBD, although viral populations represent an important component of the microbiome. We conducted this review to highlight the viral communities in the gut and their expected roles in the etiopathogenesis of IBD regarding published research to date.