Trends and hotspots in research of virus and gastrointestinal mucosal immunity: a bibliometric analysis of four decades.

Abstract

Background: Over the past four decades, the relationship between viruses and gastrointestinal (GI) mucosal immunity has gained increasing attention due to frequent viral epidemics.

Objective: This study explores current research trends and future directions in this field through bibliometric analysis.

Methods: Literature from January 1, 1985, to December 31, 2024, was retrieved from the Web of Science Core Collection (WoSCC) on January 6, 2025. Analyses were conducted using VOSviewer, Citespace, and the Bibliometrix R package.

Results: A total of 4,842 publications were identified, with an annual growth rate of 8.65%. The United States (USA) led with 1,866 articles (38.54%), followed by China (794, 16.4%). The University of California was the leading institution (n = 605). Dandekar S was the most productive author (46 publications, H-index = 26). Major co-citation clusters focused on "HIV infection," "Infected macaque," and "CoV-2 infection." Mattapallil JJ et al. (2005) had the strongest citation burst (burst = 47.09). "HIV" appeared the most frequently among keywords (n = 640), followed by "mucosal immunity" (n = 340) and "vaccine" (n = 184). Keyword and citation burst analyses revealed longstanding focus on the pathogenesis of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and antiretroviral therapy (ART), influenza, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), human papillomavirus (HPV)-related disease prevention and early diagnosis, the role of the gut microbiome in antiviral defense, and the pathogenesis and prognostic prevention of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).

Conclusion: This bibliometric analysis provides insights into research trends and emerging hotspots in the field of viruses and GI mucosal immunity, aiding researchers in identifying key areas for future investigation.