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Updated: Dec 27, 2025
Simplified Reverse Genetics Method to Recover Recombinant Rotaviruses Expressing Reporter Proteins
Published on: April 17, 2020
[Universal vaccination for Rotavirus infection control]
Valentin Mita1, Alessandra Capanna2, Giuseppe Gervasi2
1Dipartimento di Biomedicina e Prevenzione, Università degli Studi di Roma Tor Vergata, Italia.
Insights
Rotavirus (RV) vaccination significantly reduces pediatric gastroenteritis hospitalizations and deaths. However, low vaccine uptake in Italy means RV disease burden remains high, especially where rehydration therapies are inaccessible.
Area of Science:
- Virology and Epidemiology
- Pediatric Infectious Diseases
- Vaccinology
Context:
- Rotaviruses are a leading cause of severe pediatric acute gastroenteritis globally.
- Vaccination programs since 2008 have decreased rotavirus-related hospitalizations and mortality.
- Disease indicators remain high in regions lacking access to rehydration therapies.
Purpose:
- To highlight the impact of rotavirus vaccination on pediatric gastroenteritis.
- To discuss the current status of rotavirus vaccine coverage in Italy.
- To underscore the importance of vaccination and rehydration therapies in managing rotavirus disease.
Summary:
- Rotavirus (RV) is the primary cause of acute gastroenteritis in young children.
- Vaccination has proven effective in reducing RV-related hospitalizations and mortality.
- Italy exhibits low RV vaccine coverage despite the known disease burden and availability of free vaccination in limited areas.
Impact:
- Reduced healthcare utilization for pediatric gastroenteritis.
- Potential for further decrease in rotavirus disease burden with increased vaccination rates.
- Highlights disparities in access to preventive healthcare and treatment for rotavirus infections.
Abstract:
Rotaviruses are the most common etiological cause for pediatric acute gastroenteritis, particularly in children under 5 years of age or immunocompromised. Since 2008, vaccination program has determined a decrease in Rotavirus-related hospitalization, outpatient's visits, emergency department visits and mortality. These indicators of illness for Rotaviruses diseases remain high in those countries where there is no access to rehydrating therapies. In Italy vaccine coverage is very low, even if the burden of RV disease is well known, and at present vaccination is offered free of charge in a single region.
