Podcast
Questions and Answers
Which characteristic of the rotavirus genome contributes most significantly to its ability to undergo frequent genetic reassortment?
Which characteristic of the rotavirus genome contributes most significantly to its ability to undergo frequent genetic reassortment?
- Its non-enveloped structure.
- The presence of an RNA-dependent RNA polymerase.
- Its double-stranded RNA composition.
- The segmented nature of its genome. (correct)
What is the primary mechanism by which the rotavirus NSP4 protein induces diarrhea in infected individuals?
What is the primary mechanism by which the rotavirus NSP4 protein induces diarrhea in infected individuals?
- Directly damaging the intestinal villi through physical destruction.
- Inhibition of water absorption in the large intestine.
- Stimulation of inflammatory cytokine production, leading to immune-mediated damage.
- Disrupting intestinal epithelial cell function by increasing intracellular calcium levels. (correct)
Why are rotavirus infections more prevalent in preschools and daycare centers?
Why are rotavirus infections more prevalent in preschools and daycare centers?
- Children in these settings have weaker immune systems than adults.
- The virus is shed at higher rates in these children, facilitating transmission.
- The virus has a tropism (preference) for infecting a specific age group.
- Close proximity and fecal-oral transmission routes are common in these settings. (correct)
What characteristic of rotavirus contributes most significantly to its environmental stability and ease of transmission?
What characteristic of rotavirus contributes most significantly to its environmental stability and ease of transmission?
Why is it difficult to diagnose rotavirus gastroenteritis based solely on clinical presentation?
Why is it difficult to diagnose rotavirus gastroenteritis based solely on clinical presentation?
Which of the following is the most significant concern regarding the use of live rotavirus vaccines?
Which of the following is the most significant concern regarding the use of live rotavirus vaccines?
What is the primary reason for the increased severity of rotavirus infections in malnourished children?
What is the primary reason for the increased severity of rotavirus infections in malnourished children?
Why do rotavirus outbreaks typically occur during the autumn, winter, and spring months in North America?
Why do rotavirus outbreaks typically occur during the autumn, winter, and spring months in North America?
Individuals with a history of intussusception should not receive rotavirus vaccine. What is intussusception?
Individuals with a history of intussusception should not receive rotavirus vaccine. What is intussusception?
What is the role of RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) in Rotavirus replication cycle?
What is the role of RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) in Rotavirus replication cycle?
Flashcards
Rotavirus
Rotavirus
Ecosahedral, non-enveloped, double-stranded RNA virus belonging to the Reoviridae family, causing viral gastroenteritis, especially in young children.
Rotavirus Transmission
Rotavirus Transmission
Person-to-person transmission via the fecal-oral route, common in preschools, daycare centers and hospitals.
Survival in the Stomach
Survival in the Stomach
The rotavirus can survive the acidic environment of the stomach and is converted to an infectious particle by proteases.
NSP4 Protein Function
NSP4 Protein Function
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Clinical Findings
Clinical Findings
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Diagnosis of Rotavirus
Diagnosis of Rotavirus
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Rotavirus Treatment
Rotavirus Treatment
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Vaccine Types
Vaccine Types
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NSP4 Protein's diarrhea effect
NSP4 Protein's diarrhea effect
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Rotavirus Genome
Rotavirus Genome
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Study Notes
- Rotavirus is an icosahedral, non-enveloped virus containing double-stranded RNA and belongs to the Reoviridae family.
- Key terms associated with rotavirus infections include clinical, oral route, infantile diarrhea, double-stranded RNA virus, and oral vaccine.
- Rotavirus is a common cause of viral gastroenteritis, especially in young children.
- The rotavirus genome has 11 segments of double-stranded RNA, surrounded by a double-layered icosahedral capsid without an envelope.
- The virion contains an RNA-dependent RNA polymerase.
- There are at least six serotypes of human rotavirus.
- Rotaviruses spread via the fecal-oral route.
- Rotaviruses are ubiquitous worldwide, with 95% of children infected by age 3-5.
- The virus survives well on fomites and hands due to its ability to withstand drying.
- Outbreaks frequently occur in preschools, daycare centers, and among hospitalized infants.
- In North America, outbreaks occur during the autumn, winter, and spring.
- Severely malnourished children experience more severe rotavirus disease.
- Rotavirus can survive the acidic environment of the stomach and is converted to an intermediate infectious subviral particle by proteases.
- Replication occurs after the infectious subviral particle absorbs to columnar epithelial cells covering the small intestine's villi.
- This results in shortening and blunting of the microvilli and mononuclear cell infiltration into the lamina propria.
- Non-structural protein 4 (NSP4) of rotavirus acts as an enterotoxin, disrupting intestinal epithelial cell function and contributing to diarrhea.
- NSP4 induces an increase in intracellular calcium levels in infected cells, leading to calcium-dependent chloride secretion and diarrhea.
- The incubation period for rotavirus gastroenteritis is around 48 hours.
- Major clinical findings in hospitalized patients include watery diarrhea, vomiting, fever, and dehydration.
- Neither fecal leukocytes nor blood is present in the diarrhea associated with Rotavirus.
- Rotavirus gastroenteritis is typically self-limited, with complete recovery expected.
- The disease can be fatal in infants who are malnourished or dehydrated.
- Adults usually experience only minor symptoms.
- Diagnosis involves detecting capsid antigens in stool samples using ELISA and latex agglutination tests.
- A fourfold or greater rise in antibody titer can also indicate infection.
- RT-PCR is useful for detecting and distinguishing the genotypes of rotavirus.
- No antivirals are available for treating rotavirus-associated gastroenteritis; treatment is mainly supportive.
- Prevention includes two oral rotavirus vaccines containing live virus.
- One vaccine (Rotarix) contains a live attenuated virus with the single most common rotavirus serotype (G1) in the U.S.
- The other vaccine (Rotateq) is a live reassortant vaccine that contains five rotavirus strains.
- An increased risk of intussusception has been reported with both vaccines.
- Patients with a history of intussusception should not receive either vaccine.
- NSP4 protein increases intracellular calcium levels, leading to calcium-dependent chloride secretion, ultimately causing diarrhea
- Rotavirus is stable when exposed to detergents, extreme pH levels, and repeated freezing and thawing.
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