Ambarish C Varadan

Abstract Filamentous bacteriophages, of the family Inoviridae, are characterized by their reproduction and secretion by their bacterial hosts without killing them. These viruses have evolved mutualistic relationships with their bacterial hosts by impacting bacterial phenotypes in a variety of ways, including biofilm formation, horizontal gene transfer, colonization, and motility.

Abstract Bacteriophages are the dominant members of the human enteric virome and can shape bacterial communities in the gut; however, our understanding of how they directly impact health and disease is limited. Previous studies have shown that specific bacteriophage populations are expanded in patients with Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC), suggesting that fluctuations in the enteric virome may contribute to intestinal inflammation.