Interaction Between Human Microbiota, Immune System, and Hepatitis C Virus Infection: A Narrative Review

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) accounts for approximately 17.5% of acute hepatitis cases, with around 65% of individuals progressing to chronic infection after the acute phase. The role of intestinal microbiota in the pathogenesis of chronic liver diseases associated with HCV is an emerging area of scientific interest. However, the precise mechanisms by which microbiota influence chronic HCV infection remain inadequately understood, warranting further investigation. While comprehensive data on human microbiota–HCV interactions are limited, existing studies provide valuable insights that can inform future research and theoretical exploration. These studies lay the foundation for hypothesizing potential mechanisms linking microbiota and HCV within the gut–liver axis. The existing knowledge regarding the interactions between microbiota and hepatitis C virus (HCV) remains insufficient; however, recent findings highlight the significant influence of the gut–liver axis on the progression of HCV infection and its associated complications. The possible therapeutic advantages of strategies that modulate the microbiome, such as fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT), merit further investigation in relation to HCV. Future studies should focus on elucidating the reciprocal relationship between gut microbiota and HCV pathogenesis, identifying microbial markers linked to disease advancement, and assessing the effectiveness of microbiota-targeted therapies in enhancing clinical outcomes for individuals infected with HCV. This review aims to summarize the current understanding of microbiota–HCV interactions and propose a novel perspective based on literature findings, thereby paving the way for new research initiatives on HCV infections. We surveyed the existing literature and described it by conducting both a thematic and conceptual analysis.