Chapter 25, Problem 6TMW

Summary Introduction

To determine:

The reason why rotaviral deaths are rarer in developed nations than in developing countries.

Concept introduction:

Rotaviruses are the reoviruses that are spherical in shape. They can be distinguished by the presence of spikes made up of glycoprotein on their capsids. These spikes help the viruses to attach to host cells, even in the absence of envelope. These viruses are known to cause infection through the oral-faecal route in almost every infant, causing gastrointestinal diseases. Such diseases are self-healing; therefore, the treatment involves replacement of fluids rather than drugs.