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Rotavirus
Rotavirus
Rotavirus
is an
infectious
virus that
is the
common
cause of
severe
diarrhoea
in infants
and young
children.1
May 2015
Diagnosis
Gastroenteritis.
Rotavirus is a viral
infection that affects and
damages epithelial cells
of the small intestine
resulting in
gastroenteritis. It causes
symptoms such as
vomiting and diarrhoea.3
Rotavirus is a genus of a
group of dsRNA virus
within the family of
Reoviridae.4 They are
divided into serological
groups A to E, in which
groups A to C are
infectious to humans.
Rotavirus A is the
most common which
causes more than
90% of rotavirus
infections in
humans.3
According to the
Department of Health,
Rotavirus can be
detected through an
Antigen Detection Tests
and Nucleic Acid
Detection Tests. Rapid
detection can be
accomplished by testing
stool specimens for the
presence of rotavirus.7
Antigen Detection
Test commercial kits
such as Enzyme-linked
immunosorbent assay
(ELISA) are available to
detect antigen against
Group A rotavirus from
stool samples. It can
detect the virus within
minutes and is sensitive,
specific, and
inexpensive.8 ELISA has
a solid phase consists of
polystyrene plate is
treated with a solution of
antigens.9 Liquid is
poured and plate is
washed. An unrelated
protein-based solution is
registered in Australia
are Rotarix and RotaTeq.
The doses are given in
three doses at 2, 4, and
6 months of age.14
Rotavirus can also be
prevented by thoroughly
washing your hands
using disinfectant after
going to the toilet, and
before eating.7
Significance
Nucleic Acid
Detection Test
(NADT) - detects
rotavirus A only. They
are highly sensitive and
specific but could also
detect the virus in the
person carrying the virus
but is not experiencing
any symptoms.
Therefore, the positive
results of rotavirus by
NADT must be
interpreted taking into
account the medical
history of the patient.12
Treatment
Rotavirus has no specific
treatment. However,
preventing dehydration
Prevention
Rotavirus can be
prevented through
vaccinations. They are
able to prevent about
74% of the cases and
96% of hospitalisations.
The two vaccines
www.nfid.org/idinfo/rotavirus/faqs.html
2 Better Health Channel. 2015.
Rotavirus. Retrieved on April 27, 2015
from
http://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/bhc
v2/bhcarticles.nsf/pages/Rotavirus
3 Ramig R. 2004. Pathogenesis of
Intestinal and Systemic Rotavirus
Infection. Journal of Virology 78(19):
10213-10220.
4 Baron S., 1996, Medical Microbiology
(4th Edition), University of Texas
Medical Branch at Galveston
5 National Health Service. 2014.
Gastroenteritis in Children. Retrieved
on April 30, 2015 from
http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/Rotaviru
s-
gastroenteritis/Pages/Introduction.asp
x
6 South Australia Health. 2012.
Rotavirus Infection Symptoms,
Treatment and Prevention. Retrieved
on April 30, 2015 from
http://www.sahealth.sa.gov.au/wps/wc
m/connect/public+content/sa+health
+internet/health+topics/health+condi
tions+prevention+and+treatment/infe
ctious+diseases/rotavirus+infection
7 Medical News Today. 2014. What is
Rotavirus Gastroenteritis? What
causes Rotavirus Gastroenteritis?
Retrieved on April 30, 2015 from
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/arti
cles/177104.php
http://www.vfad.com.my/elisa/
12 The Department of Health. 2013.
Rotavirus Laboratory Case Definition.
Retrieved on April 28, 2015 from
http://www.health.gov.au/internet/mai
n/publishing.nsf/Content/cda-phlncdrotavirus.htm
13 Livestrong. 2015. What Ingredients
are in Pedialyte? Retrieved on April
May 2, 2015 from
http://www.livestrong.com/article/3458
95-what-ingredients-are-in-pedialyte/
14 Queensland Government Health.
2012. Rotavirus. Retrieved on April 30,
2015 from
http://www.health.qld.gov.au/cdcg/ind
ex/rotavirus.asp