The Small Bowel Virome: Composition, Health, Disease, and Research Challenges, A Narrative Review

This narrative review explores the emerging field of the small bowel virome, examining its composition, spatial distribution and potential roles in health and disease.The small intestine, with its unique physiological gradients and immune environment, harbours viral communities that include both bacteriophage and eukaryotic viruses.Recent studies suggest that the small bowel virome may differ from that of the colon.Research has begun to identify associations between alterations in the small bowel virome and conditions such as Crohn's disease and coeliac disease, although the functional significance of these changes remains to be clarified.This review highlights findings from both human and animal studies, noting observed differences in viral communities across small bowel segments and between health and disease states.