Intestinal mucus: the unsung hero in the battle against viral gastroenteritis.

Intestinal mucus plays a crucial role in defending against enteric infections by protecting the vulnerable intestinal epithelial cells both physically and through its various constituents. Despite this, numerous gastroenteritis-causing viruses, such as rotavirus, coronavirus, adenovirus, astrovirus, calicivirus, and enterovirus, continue to pose significant threats to humans and animals. While several studies have examined the interactions between these viruses and intestinal mucus, significant gaps remain in understanding the full protective potential of intestinal mucus against these pathogens. This review aims to elucidate the protective role of intestinal mucus in viral gastroenteritis. It begins with a comprehensive literature overview of (i) intestinal mucus, (ii) enteric viruses of medical and veterinary importance, and (iii) the known interactions between various enteric viruses and intestinal mucus. Following this, a case study is presented to highlight the age-dependent blocking effect of porcine intestinal mucus against transmissible gastroenteritis virus, a porcine coronavirus. Finally, the review discusses future investigation directions to further explore the potential of intestinal mucus as a defense mechanism against viral gastroenteritis to stimulate further research in this dynamic and critical area.