Rotavirus and calicivirus infections of the gastrointestinal tract

Virus infections of the gastrointestinal tract, leading to gastroenteritis, are a common problem in both developed and developing countries. Rotavirus and Norwalk-like Viruses are the most common agents responsible for clinic ally severe disease in humans, and this paper focuses on new information ab out the mechanisms of pathogenesis and epidemiology of these two pathogens. Rotavirus-induced disease involves a viral enterotoxin and activation of t he enteric nervous system, as well as malabsorption, suggesting that common mechanisms of pathogenesis may exist between viral and bacterial pathogens . Each gastrointestinal virus possesses unique molecular properties that ca n be exploited to discover new information about responses of cells of the gastrointestinal tract. Work continues toward making vaccines for rotavirus and Norwalk-like viruses. (C) 2001 Lippincoti Williams & Wilkins. Inc.