[Role of rotavirus non-structural protein 4 in causing of acute gastroenteritis].

Rotaviruses belong to the family Reoviridae, genus Rotavirus with several types that are important for human and animal medicine. Rotavirus genome is consisted of 11 segments of double-stranded RNA, which code the synthesis of structural (VP) and non-structural proteins (NSP). The virus genome is enclosed in the three-layer capsid. Protein of the middle layer (VP6) is responsible for group specificity, and two proteins of the external capsid layer (VP7 and VP4) are responsible for belonging of rotaviruses group A to different sero/genotypes, in further text G and P. These two important antigen proteins stimulate an organism to produce specific neutralizing antibodies. Today, there are overall 15 G and 23 P serotypes of rotaviruses known and discovered so far. It infects humans, with 10 G and 11 P serotypes of rotaviruses discovered, with the most frequent presence of group A of serotypes G1 to G4, and serotypes P4 and P8, respectively. The most frequently found serotype among them is G1. According to recent reports, rotaviruses are still one of the most important causes of acute gastroenteritis in the population of young children, with endemic distribution in all geographic regions. Annually, around 50,000 of rotavirus-infected individuals are hospitalized in USA and around 80,000 in Europe. Compared to other pathogens, rotaviruses are present in causing of acute diarrheas in children in 30-40 % of cases. In children younger than 5, around 136 millions of gastroenteritis cases with rotavirus etiology are registered annually. Out of this number, 111 millions are treated at homes, 25 millions ask for medical consultations, 2 millions are hospitalized, and around 440,000 die.