viral gastroenteritis Flashcards
Signs/sx of viral gastroenteritis
acute watery diarrhea w/out mucus or blood, +/- vomiting (precedes). Dehydration in infants and older adults. Nauseau, intestinal cramping, myalgias, low grade fever, headache, malaise
- List/Name viruses that can cause gastroenteritis.
Calciviruses (norovirus, saporovirus), rotavirus, enteric adenoviruses, astroviruses
viral gastroenteritis pathophys
- Local infection of intestinal epithelial cells. 2. Malabsorption due to virus killing mature enterocytes. 3. Local villus ischemia leading to diarrhea. 4. Viral enterotoxin changing transepithelial fluid balance
When is a specific viral diagnosis useful
a. Outbreak situations for epidemiologic purposes. b. Immune compromised hosts. c. Severe disease
- Explain how diagnosis of gastroenteritis viruses is made even though most of these viruses cannot be grown in cell culture.
RT-PCR detection of viral nucleic acids in stool is most sensitivie. A multiplex PCR assay can detect many of the most common viral etiologies on a single panel.
viral gastroenteritis treatment
rehydration- oral Na, K, bicarb and glucose or IV fluids if severe
Viral gastroenteritis prevention
hygiene, sanitation, isolation. Vaccine for rotavirus and norovirus in development
types of caliciviruses
Norovirus and sapovirus are the two that can affect humans. Norovirus has 3 genera that affect humans, GI, GII and GIV. There are many serotypes of norovirus which arise by mutation or recombination
Principal cause of norovirus outbreaks in US currently
GII.4 Sydney norovirus serotype- first detected in 2012 in Australia
Norovirus structure
non-enveloped ssRNA virus with cup shaped (chalice-like) indentations. Contains a viral encoded protease that cleaves viral polyproteins, necessary for viral replication. Difficult to grow in culture.
norovirus clinical characteristics
1/3 asymptomatic but shedding virus. vomiting, watery diarrhea, nausea, cramping. Associated malaise, headaches, myalgias, low-grade fevers in some. Incubation: 15hrs to 2 days. Duration of Sx: 1-2 days
norovirus epidemiology
Common cause of outbreaks on cruise ships, hospitals and nursing homes. Fecal oral spread, foodborne (shellfish) and waterborne. Most common cause of diarrhea in older children and adults, 2nd most common in young children after rotavirus.
norovirus infectious dose and shedding
•Infectious dose: 10-100 viruses. Shedding occurs for 4 days to 8 weeks and is often asymptomatic. Stool viral load: 10 million/mL
Norovirus immunity
Immunity for 6 months after infection. Antibody confers short term protection but virus strain diversity and antigenic shift play role.
Who is innately resistant to norovirus
Blood group antigens. FUT2 gene required for virions to bind intestinal cells. FUT2 -/- are resistant