Gut virus axis: Unravelling viral contribution to gut microbiota dysbiosis and translational medicine in inflammatory bowel disease

The gut microbiota and immune system are significantly influenced by the human gut-virus axis, which is mostly composed of bacteriophages and eukaryotic viruses. Through mechanisms affecting microbial balance, immunological responses, and intestinal barrier integrity, recent research emphasizes its role in the onset and progression of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). This review examines the ways in which gut viruses—bacteriophages in particular—contribute to dysbiosis through biofilm development, transduction, and bacterial diversity modulation. We also go over how the virome affects chronic inflammation and host immunological signaling. The virome in IBD patients can now be thoroughly profiled thanks to developments in metagenomic and viromic technologies, which have identified unique changes that could be used as therapeutic targets or diagnostic biomarkers. Integrating virome research into the larger framework of the gut microbiota offers a fresh viewpoint on the pathophysiology of IBD and has the potential to advance precision medicine techniques and virus-based treatments, despite the fact that the topic is still understudied. • Emerging Role of the Gut Virome – The review highlights how bacteriophages, enteric viruses, and eukaryotic viral communities influence gut microbiota composition, impacting inflammatory and gastrointestinal disorders, particularly Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. • Gut Virome Dysbiosis in IBD – Studies reveal increased viral diversity, expansion of bacteriophages, and bacterial population imbalances in IBD patients, contributing to immune dysregulation, chronic inflammation, and epithelial barrier dysfunction. • Advances in Viral Sequencing and Biomarkers – The development of metagenomics, virome sequencing, and bioinformatics enables identification of virome signatures associated with IBD, paving the way for precision medicine approaches. • Therapeutic Potential of Virome Modulation – The article explores phage therapy, engineered viral vectors, and virome-based probiotics as novel approaches for restoring microbial balance and reducing inflammation in IBD. • Challenges and Future Directions – Major research gaps include understanding viral-host interactions, proving causation in virome-driven dysbiosis, and standardizing virome-targeted interventions for effective clinical translation.