Rotavirus A (RVA) (RVA)

Rotavirus A (RVA) is a genus of double-stranded RNA viruses within the Reoviridae family and is the leading cause of severe, dehydrating diarrhea in infants and young children worldwide (CDC, 2023). The virus's outer capsid is composed of two proteins, VP7 (a glycoprotein) and VP4 (a protease-sensitive protein), which determine the G and P serotypes, respectively (NCBI, 2022). Serotypes G1, G2, G3, G4, and G9 are the most common strains circulating globally and are the primary targets for vaccine development (WHO, 2021). These proteins facilitate viral attachment to host enterocytes and subsequent membrane penetration, leading to viral replication and the destruction of mature enterocytes in the small intestine (StatPearls, 2023). Therapeutic intervention is primarily focused on prevention through live-attenuated oral vaccines, such as RotaTeq and Rotarix, which elicit a protective immune response by mimicking natural infection (PubMed, 2020). While treatment for active infection remains supportive through rehydration, these vaccines have significantly reduced the global burden of rotavirus-related hospitalizations and mortality (NIH, 2022).

Other names

Human rotavirusRotavirus group ARVG1, G2, G3, G4, G9 serotypes

Active immunization to induce neutralizing antibodies (primarily IgA) against the VP7 and VP4 outer capsid proteins, thereby preventing viral attachment and entry into host enterocytes (PubMed, 2020; WHO, 2021).