Atypical Viral Infections in Gastroenterology

Abstract

Enteric viruses are commonly found obligate parasites in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. These viruses usually follow a fecal-oral route of transmission and are characterized by their extraordinary stability as well as resistance in high-stress environments. Most of them cause similar symptoms including vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain. In order to come in contract with mucosal surfaces, these viruses need to pass the three main lines of defense: mucus layer, innate immune defenses, and adaptive immune defenses. The following atypical gastrointestinal infections are discussed: SARS-CoV2, hantavirus, herpes simplex virus I, cytomegalovirus, and calicivirus. Dysbiosis represents any modification to the makeup of resident commensal communities from those found in healthy individuals and can cause a patient to become more susceptible to bacterial and viral infections. The interaction between bacteria, viruses, and host physiology is still not completely understood. However, with growing research on viral infections, dysbiosis, and new methods of detection, we are getting closer to understanding the nature of these viruses, their typical and atypical characteristics, long-term effects, and mechanisms of action in different organ systems.

The microbiome in the pathogenesis of lung cancer

“…Other studies found that the inhalation of LPS into the lungs of mice could increase the number of bacteria in the intestines, indicating that pneumonia has the capacity to affect intestinal homeostasis and induce intestinal injury [61]. Recent studies have found that SARS‐CoV‐2 causes diarrhea in patients by impacting gut microbiome, such as the phylum Firmicutes [62]. Furthermore, disruption of the lung microbiome may affect the homeostasis of the gut microbiome.…”