Virus Association with Gastric Inflammation and Cancer: An Updated Overview

Enteric viruses are the most common cause of gastroenteritis or infectious diarrhea worldwide. The genera Rotavirus (RoV), astrovirus (AstV), and Norovirus (NoV) are predominant viruses causing acute diarrhea in children and inflammation in the gastrointestinal tract. Apart from the enteric viruses, human papillomavirus (HPV), John Cunningham human polyomavirus (JCV), and human immunodeficiency viruses (HIV) are also significantly linked with gastrointestinal inflammation and gastric neoplasia. Moreover, recent studies demonstrated the direct induction of acute gut inflammation by Norovirus infection. Though mild inflammation occurs with astroviral infection, pro-inflammatory signaling pathways are also activated. Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), a significant tumor-causing pathogenic gammaherpesvirus, is also associated with diarrheal disease due to increased local and systemic inflammation. The association of EBV infection with ulcer colitis (UD), Crohn's disease (CD), inflammatory bowel syndrome (IBD), peptic ulcers, and chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) indicates its potentiality for enhancing gut inflammation and gastric cancers. In the current scenario, extensive research is a prerequisite to understanding and achieving in-depth knowledge of the molecular mechanisms involved with enteric and tumor viral antigen-induced gut inflammation and cancer progression. This review represents new insights into the current research linking enteric and other pathogenic viruses as a trigger for gut inflammation and gastrointestinal malignancies.

Keywords:

Enteric viruses , Gut infection , Inflammation , Cancer