Rotavirus: the nervous system of the bowel and new treatments for diarrhoea

Rotavirus infection is a worldwide scourge of children, particularly in developing countries, as a major cause of diarrhoeal illness. Rotavirus gastroenteritis can result in a short-lived illness; however, the rapid dehydration can be fatal, and the virus can lead to prolonged bowel disorder lasting many months, causing significant malnutrition. In developed countries, rotavirus infection results in significant hospital costs. A novel approach to treating rotavirus-mediated fluid losses was taken by Lundgren and colleagues, who set out to determine the mechanisms by which this organism causes diarrhoea 1 Lundgren O. et al. Role of the enteric nervous system in the fluid and electrolyte secretion of rotavirus diarrhea. Science. 2000; 287: 491-495 Crossref PubMed Scopus (221) Google Scholar .