Host-Microbiome Interactions in Viral Infections

Abstract

The complex interactions between the host and its microbiome play a crucial role in shaping immune responses, particularly during viral infections. The human microbiome, consisting of trillions of microbes residing in various body niches, has been shown to influence the pathogenesis of viral infections, including respiratory, gastrointestinal, and systemic infections. This article explores the role of host-microbiome interactions in viral infections, focusing on the mechanisms through which the microbiome influences immune modulation, viral replication, and disease outcomes. It highlights the gut microbiota as a central player in regulating immune responses during viral infections, with particular attention to influenza, hepatitis, and COVID-19. Understanding these interactions provides new therapeutic avenues for improving viral infection outcomes through microbiome modulation. This review emphasizes the need for integrating microbiome-based therapies into infectious disease management.