VIRAL-INFECTIONS OF THE GASTROINTESTINAL-TRACT

Viral gastroenteritis accounts for enormous morbidity and mortality in children throughout the world, This year, trials with live vaccines a gainst the most serious pathogen of viral gastroenteritis, rotavirus, showed promise of reasonable efficacy in the developed world. More bas ic studies in rotavirus immunology and biology are outlining the basis of immune resistance to disease and leading toward new effective vacc ine strategies. The development of recombinant Norwalk virus and relat ed calicivirus antigens and polymerase chain reaction assays is revolu tionizing our understanding of the epidemiology and pathophysiology of these ubiquitous microbes. The role of viruses such as astrovirus, ad enoviruses, and picobirnaviruses in diarrheal disease among immunocomp romised and normal hosts continues to be proved. Further refinement of oral rehydration therapy will hopefully further decrease the morbidit y and mortality of viral diarrheal disease.