The Interaction Between Viruses and Intestinal Microbiota: A Review

Abstract

As the main pathogen threatening human and animal health, viruses can affect the immunity and metabolism of bodies. There are innate microbial barriers in the digestive tract of the body to preserve the homeostasis of the animal body, which directly or indirectly influences the host defence against viral infection. Understanding the interaction between viruses and intestinal microbiota or probiotics is helpful to study the pathogenesis of diseases. Here, we review recent studies on the interaction mechanism between intestinal microbiota and viruses. The interaction can be divided into two aspects: inhibition of viral infection by microbiota and promotion of viral infection by microbiota. The treatment of viral infection by probiotics is summarized.