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Assays for the Specific Growth Rate and Cell-binding Ability of Rotavirus
Published on: January 28, 2019
Rotavirus: to the gut and beyond!
Sarah E Blutt1, Margaret E Conner
1Department of Molecular Virology and Microbiology, Baylor College of Medicine, Michael E. Debakey Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Texas 77030, USA.
Current Opinion in Gastroenterology
|November 30, 2006
Summary
Rotavirus, a common cause of childhood gastroenteritis, is now understood to spread throughout the body, not just the gut. This systemic infection involves viremia and replication in tissues beyond the intestine, challenging previous beliefs about rotavirus pathogenesis.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Pediatric Gastroenterology
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Rotavirus is a leading cause of severe gastroenteritis in children worldwide.
- Historically, rotavirus infection was believed to be confined to the small intestine's epithelial cells.
- Recent evidence suggests rotavirus may disseminate beyond the gastrointestinal tract.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review current evidence on rotavirus systemic infection.
- To challenge the dogma of localized rotavirus pathogenesis.
- To highlight controversies and future research directions in systemic rotavirus infection.
Main Methods:
- Review of experimental animal models demonstrating rotavirus presence in serum and extraintestinal tissues.
- Analysis of studies detecting rotavirus antigens, RNA, or infectious virus in human subjects.
- Examination of emerging data on extraintestinal rotavirus replication and its implications.
Main Results:
- Rotavirus antigens, RNA, and infectious virus have been consistently detected in the serum and various extraintestinal tissues of experimentally infected animals.
- Rotavirus antigens and RNA have been identified in the sera of children experiencing rotavirus-associated diarrhea.
- Research is beginning to identify specific tissues and cell types supporting extraintestinal rotavirus replication.
Conclusions:
- Rotavirus infection is a systemic process characterized by acute viremia and replication in tissues outside the intestine.
- The clinical significance and overall impact of systemic rotavirus infection on disease burden require further investigation.
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