ROTA VIRUS INFECTION; MOLECULAR PATHOGENESIS, EPIDEMIOLOGY AND ADVANCES IN VACCINATION STRATEGIES

Rotavirus is a leading cause of acute gastroenteritis in infants and young children worldwide, contributing significantly to morbidity and mortality, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. It is a non-enveloped, double-stranded RNA virus belonging to the family Reoviridae, characterized by a triple-layered icosahedral capsid. Transmission occurs primarily via the faecal–oral route through contaminated food, water, and surfaces, with high environmental stability facilitating rapid spread. Infection mainly targets mature enterocytes of the small intestine, leading to villous atrophy, malabsorption, and secretory diarrhoea mediated in part by the viral enterotoxin NSP4. Clinical manifestations range from mild diarrhoea to severe dehydration, electrolyte imbalance, and shock, especially in infants and immunocompromised individuals. Vaccination remains the most effective preventive strategy, significantly reducing disease severity, hospitalizations, and mortality worldwide. Currently available oral live- attenuated vaccines have shown substantial success; however, challenges such as variable vaccine efficacy, limited coverage in low-resource settings, rare adverse effects, and emerging viral genotypes persist. Supportive management, including oral rehydration therapy, zinc supplementation, and nutritional support, remains essential for disease management. Continued research focusing on vaccine optimization, improved accessibility, and understanding viral evolution is critical to achieving sustained global control of rotavirus infection.