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Updated: May 28, 2026

Assays for the Specific Growth Rate and Cell-binding Ability of Rotavirus
Published on: January 28, 2019
Sudden death from systemic rotavirus infection and detection of nonstructural rotavirus proteins
Ineko Nakano1, Koki Taniguchi, Hatsue Ishibashi-Ueda
1Kyoto Min-iren Chuo Hospital, 16-1 Nishinokyo-Kasuga-cho, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto 604-8453, Japan. inekoto@E-mail.jp
Insights
Rotavirus gastroenteritis can cause systemic infection and encephalopathy in children, extending beyond the gut. This study confirms rotavirus replication in multiple organs via viremia.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Pediatric Pathology
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Rotavirus is a common cause of gastroenteritis in infants and children.
- While primarily known for intestinal infections, systemic spread is less understood.
Observation:
- A 2.5-year-old girl experienced sudden death during rotavirus gastroenteritis.
- Autopsy revealed encephalopathy and evidence of rotavirus systemic infection.
Findings:
- This study provides evidence of rotavirus replication in multiple organs beyond the gastrointestinal tract.
- Viremia was identified as the mechanism for systemic rotavirus dissemination.
Implications:
- Rotavirus infection can manifest as a systemic disease in children, leading to severe neurological complications.
- These findings highlight the importance of considering systemic rotavirus involvement in pediatric cases of unexplained encephalopathy.
Abstract:
A 2.5-year-old girl died suddenly during the course of rotavirus gastroenteritis. The autopsy showed encephalopathy with rotavirus systemic infection. Here, we provide evidence of rotavirus replication in multiple organs. Our findings clarify that rotavirus infection in children can extend beyond the intestinal tract through viremia.
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