ABSTRACT
Human Norovirus is currently the main viral cause of acute gastroenteritis (AGEs) in most countries worldwide. Nearly 50 years after the discovery of the "Norwalk virus" by Kapikian and colleagues, the scientific and medical community continue to generate new knowledge on the full biological and disease spectrum of Norovirus infection. Nevertheless, several areas remain incompletely understood due to the serious constraints to effectively replicate and propagate the virus. Here, we present a narrated historic perspective and summarize our current knowledge, including insights and reflections on current points of interest for a broad medical community, including clinical and molecular epidemiology, viral-host-microbiota interactions, antivirals, and vaccine prototypes. We also include a reflection on the present and future impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on Norovirus infection and disease.
Subject(s)
Caliciviridae Infections/epidemiology , Caliciviridae Infections/prevention & control , Gastroenteritis/epidemiology , Gastroenteritis/prevention & control , Norovirus/physiology , Antiviral Agents , COVID-19/epidemiology , COVID-19/prevention & control , Caliciviridae Infections/microbiology , Caliciviridae Infections/virology , Gastroenteritis/microbiology , Gastroenteritis/virology , Gastrointestinal Microbiome , Host-Pathogen Interactions , Humans , Norovirus/genetics , Norovirus/immunology , SARS-CoV-2 , Viral Vaccines/immunologyABSTRACT
The role of angiotensin converting enzyme 2 has expanded from regulating the renin angiotensin system to regulating intestinal amino acid homeostasis and the gut microbiome. Recently, angiotensin converting enzyme 2 was identified as a primary receptor for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronaviruses 1 and 2 being expressed in multiple tissues including the luminal surface of the gut. In this brief perspective, we examine the role of angiotensin converting enzyme 2 as the receptor for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 and the impact of coronavirus disease 19 infection on the gut microbiome and on the gut epithelium.
Subject(s)
Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme 2/metabolism , COVID-19/enzymology , Gastroenteritis/enzymology , Gastrointestinal Microbiome , Intestinal Mucosa/enzymology , Receptors, Virus/metabolism , SARS-CoV-2/pathogenicity , Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme 2/therapeutic use , Animals , Anti-Inflammatory Agents/therapeutic use , Antiviral Agents/therapeutic use , COVID-19/microbiology , COVID-19/virology , Feces/microbiology , Feces/virology , Gastroenteritis/drug therapy , Gastroenteritis/microbiology , Gastroenteritis/virology , Gastrointestinal Microbiome/drug effects , Host-Pathogen Interactions , Humans , Intestinal Mucosa/drug effects , Intestinal Mucosa/microbiology , Intestinal Mucosa/virology , Renin-Angiotensin System , SARS-CoV-2/drug effects , Virus Internalization , COVID-19 Drug TreatmentABSTRACT
COVID-19 dramatically affects the elderly. Due to the large usage of antibiotics during the current pandemic and the gastrointestinal manifestations of COVID-19, the elderly population, hospitalized patients, residents in LTCFs and persons that survived the COVID-19 might be more prone to Clostridioides difficile infections (CDI). A renewed attention to CDI is necessary during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.