Rotavirus

By: Jacqueline Garcia, Tammy Szeto, Anita Yau, and Oi Yi Chan

Rotavirus Name
Derived from the Latin word rota, which
means wheel
Comes from within the family Reoviridae
Fives species within the genus
o A, B, C, D, and E

Lifestyle of Rotavirus
What is a rotavirus?
o Obligate intracellular
parasite
o Stable in the
environment
o Survives from 9-19
days

Where can they be

found?
o Found in low-income
countries in contaminated
water sources

Rotavirus Lifestyle (cont.)

How did they get

What disease does it

there?

cause?

o Methods of entry:

o The most frequent cause

for severe diarrhea in
infants due to significant
gastrointestinal disease
o Primary route of
transmission: fecal-oral
route

sewage overflows
malfunctioning
sewage systems
polluted storm water
runoff

Features of Rotavirus
Unique wheel-like
appearance
Nonenveloped
Multilayered
icosahedral protein
capsid ~75nm in
diameter

Genomic Features
11 dsRNA
Genetic re-assortment
Makes 2 types of proteins:
Nonstructural Proteins (NSP): made by infected

host cell
Structural Proteins (VP): make up virus (VP 1-4,
6 & 7)
help viral assembly, attachment, spread in host,
etc.

Virion Components & Replication Cycle

2 protein capsid layers,
connected by spokes
Structural proteins VP 1, 2, 3, 4,
6 and 7 make up virus. Notable
proteins:
o VP 4: spikes
o VP 7: glycoproteins on OM

dsRNA released in cytoplasm, (+) RNA

transcribed
Assembly in rough ER, release by exocytosis/lysis

History of Rotavirus
In 1971 Rotavirus was first
presented to virologist Ruth
Bishop in a mysterious manner.
Young infants/children were
being affected by acute
gastroenteritis worldwide
Rotavirus was officially
discovered in 1973.

Currently
81 years
old and
still
rockin out
in lab!

Symptoms, Incidence & more

Symptoms
Vomit, diarrhea, fever, fatigue, abdominal pain,
dehydration
Incidence/Prevalence

World-wide prevalence
Highest affected: Africa, India & South Asia
~ 600,000 infant/children deaths (annually!)
Food/Water contamination
Fecal/Oral transmission
Children under age 4 are most susceptible

How it causes disease

Rotavirus is located in the
GI tract, specifically the
duodenum and proximal
jejunum
Virus shortens the microvilli
of epithelial cells.
Result: less absorptive
surface area and hence,
malabsorption of nutrients.

Identifying Rotavirus in Lab

1. Smear a fecal sample on a glass slide. Allow
drying before adding distilled water.
2. Put a drop of fecal suspension in Formvarcoated copper grid. Let dry for two minutes,
blot off excess water, and allow air-dry.
3. Hover grid over pH 5-6 2% Phosphotungstic
acid (PTA) stain. Remove and allow air-dry.
4. Observe for Rotavirus in electron microscope.

Treatment and Eradication

No antiviral drug or specific treatment
Cause severe vomiting, diarrhea and lead to loss of
body fluids.
Drinking plenty of liquids to prevent dehydration.
Only severe cases require vigorous
replacement of fluid and electrolytes.

Treatment and Eradication (cont.)

ummmmmmm...

Two live vaccines in the United States and both

are given by orally.
Pentavalent Human-Bovine Reassortant Rotavirus Vaccine
(RV5) contains 5 reassortant rotaviruses developed from
human and bovine parent rotavirus strains.
Monovalent Human Rotavirus Vaccine (RV1),
contains a human rotavirus strain developed
from a strain of rotavirus.

Treatment and Eradication (cont.)

The best and primary public health control: vaccination

Rotavirus and Blood Groups

Result: rotavirus gastroenteritis was
determined to be more common in
babies with A blood group.
The human rotavirus strain specifically
recognizes A-type histo-blood group antigen,
which means people with A antigen
(blood type A and AB) are more
susceptible to rotavirus.

Works Cited
American Society for MicrobiologyJournal of Virology. (n.d.). Pathogenesis of Intestinal and Systemic Rotavirus Infection. Retrieved July 10, 2014,
from http://jvi.asm.org/content/78/19/10213.full

CDC - Rotavirus. (2014, May 12). Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Retrieved July 9, 2014, from
http://www.cdc.gov/rotavirus/index.html
Manual of rotavirus detection and characterization methods. (2009). Geneva: World Health Organization.
Prevention of Rotavirus Gastroenteritis Among Infants and Children Recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization
Practices (ACIP). (n.d.). Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Retrieved July 10, 2014, from
http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/rr5802a1.htm
Purulent Pericardial Effusion in a 14-Year-Old Girl : The Pediatric Infectious Disease Journal. (n.d.). Purulent Pericardial Effusion in a 14Year-Old Girl : The Pediatric Infectious Disease Journal. Retrieved July 10, 2014, from
http://journals.lww.com/pidj/pages/articleviewer.aspx?year=2009&issue=03001&article=00002&type=abstract
Rotavirus toxin NSP4 induces diarrhea by activation of TMEM16A and inhibition of Na+ absorption. (n.d.). National Center for
Biotechnology Information. Retrieved July 10, 2014, from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21399895
Strelkauskas, A. J., Strelkauskas, J., & Strelkauskas, D. (2010). Microbiology: a clinical approach. New York: Garland Science.

Works Cited
The Pediatric Infectious Disease Journal Newsletter: December: The Pediatric Infectious Disease Journal. (n.d.). The
Pediatric Infectious Disease Journal Newsletter: December: The Pediatric Infectious Disease Journal. Retrieved July 10,
2014, from http://journals.lww.com/pidj/pages/articleviewer.aspx?year=2007&issue=10000&article=00008&type=abstract
Loder, F. (2012, July 1). Professor Ruth Bishop A passionate mind, saving the lives
of children. Professor Ruth Bishop. Retrieved July 10, 2014, from http://research.mdhs.unimelb.edu.au/news/womenpassion-luck-work

Symptoms. (2014, May 12). Retrieved July 10, 2014, from

http://www.cdc.gov/rotavirus/about/symptoms.html
Gastroenteritis in Children. (2014, March 28). Retrieved July 10, 2014, from
http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Rotavirus-gastroenteritis/Pages/Introduction.aspx#close
Prevalence and Incidence of Rotavirus. (n.d.). - RightDiagnosis.com. Retrieved July 10, 2014,
from http://www.rightdiagnosis.com/r/rotavirus/prevalence.htm#prevalence_discussion
Rotavirus. (n.d.). WHO. Retrieved July 10, 2014, from
http://www.who.int/immunization/topics/rotavirus/en/