Infectious Diseases and Microbiology - Gastroenteritis (Rotavirus)

Infectious Diseases and Microbiology - Gastroenteritis (Rotavirus) 
Gastroenteritis caused by Rotavirus
Acute viral gastroenteritis is mainly caused by rotavirus in newborns and young children. Rotavirus spreads through the fecal-oral pathway. Globally, infections are common, and severe diarrhea is thought to be the cause of one million newborn deaths, especially in developing nations. All age groups can contract rotavirus gastroenteritis, however children between the ages of 6 and 24 months have the highest rate of severe illness.

The symptoms of a rotavirus infection include vomiting, low-grade fever, nausea, and non-bloody, watery diarrhea that lasts for four to five days. The two main side effects of severe diarrhea are electrolyte loss and dehydration.
Individuals who are malnourished and have concomitant immunodeficiencies are more vulnerable to severe rotavirus infections.

Rotaviruses infect and lyse the small intestine's enterocytes, which are epithelial cells, after ingestion. Stunted villi subsequently result from damaged enterocytes sloughing off. A flow of excess intestinal fluid across the intestinal membrane is linked to damage to enterocytes, and in certain cases, this leads to a net loss of salt and protein. Damage to the mucosa reduces the small intestine's absorptive surface area and the amount of digestive enzymes (such disaccharidases) that are produced. Due to a malabsorptive state brought on by these inadequacies, there is a hyperosmotic impact that results in diarrhea. Serum antibody levels are associated with both viral clearance and subsequent immunity.
Immunity against reinfection is associated with the intestinal secretory IgA response.

The technique commonly employed for infection diagnosis is enzyme immunoassay detection of rotavirus antigen in feces.
For rotavirus infection, there is no particular treatment. In extreme situations, oral rehydration is necessary to replenish electrolytes and fluids. It is authorized to prevent rotavirus diarrhea in babies by administering an oral, live, attenuated pentavalent rotavirus vaccination. Better hygiene practices and sanitation protocols are control strategies.