Interactions between rotavirus and gastrointestinal cells

Rotaviruses are the leading cause of life-threatening diarrhea] disease in infants and in young animals worldwide. The outcome of rotavirus infection of intestinal epithelia] cells is more complex and involves induction of mo re diverse cellular responses than initially appreciated. Similar to bacter ia, the pathogenesis of rotavirus-incluced disease involves an enterotoxin, activation of the enteric nervous system and malabsorption, suggesting tha t common mechanisms of pathogenesis may exist between viral and bacterial p athogens.