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Rotavirus
From Citizendium, the Citizens' Compendium
| Rotavirus | ||||||
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| Virus classification | ||||||
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Contents |
Description and significance
Describe the appearance, habitat, etc. of the organism, and why it is important enough to have its genome sequenced. Describe how and where it was isolated.
Rotaviruses are nonenveloped, double-shelled RNA viruses and members of the Reoviridae family. Rotavirus is the most common cause of severe diarrhea among children worldwide. It is often known as infantile diarrhea. The disease is characterized by vomiting and watery diarrhea for 3 - 8 days, and frequent fever and abdominal pain. Almost all children become infected with Rotavirus by the age of three to five.
In 1943 Jacob Light and Horace Hodes first isolated an agent and proved that this same agent, found in the feces of children with infectious diarrhea, also caused diarrhea in cattle. In 1973, Ruth Bishop discovered the same virus in the intestines of children with gastroenteritis at The Royal Children’s Hospital in Melbourne, Australia. A year later,Thomas Flewett coined the name Rotavirus because when it is viewed through an electron microscope, a rotavirus particle looks like a wheel. The word rota in Latin means “wheel”.
Genome structure
Describe the size and content of the genome. How many chromosomes? Circular or linear? Other interesting features? What is known about its sequence? Does it have any plasmids? Are they important to the organism's lifestyle?
The Rotavirus genome is composed of 11 segments of double-stranded RNA. Each segment encodes a single viral polypeptide. Six are structural and five are nonstructural proteins.
Cell structure and metabolism
Describe any interesting features and/or cell structures; how it gains energy; what important molecules it produces.
Ecology
Describe any interactions with other organisms (included eukaryotes), contributions to the environment, effect on environment, etc.
Pathology
How does this organism cause disease? Human, animal, plant hosts? Virulence factors, as well as patient symptoms.
Application to Biotechnology
Does this organism produce any useful compounds or enzymes? What are they and how are they used?
Current Research
Enter summaries of the most recent research here--at least three required http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/eid/vol4no4/paras1b.gif
