الفهرس 
IntroductionOnly 14 pages are availabe for public view
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Abstract
Acute gastroenteritis remains a major cause of morbidity and mortality in children around the world, accounting for 1.87 million deaths annually in children younger than 5 years. It can be caused by parasites, bacteria or viruses, which is the major cause and Rotavirus represents the most important viral pathogen worldwide, responsible for 29% of all diarrhea-related deaths. Rotavirus is one of several viruses that cause infections often called stomach flu, despite having no relation to influenza. Although rotavirus was discovered in 1973 and accounts for up to 50% of hospitalizations for severe diarrhea in infants and children, its importance is still not widely known within the public health community, particularly in developing countries. In addition to its impact on human health, rotavirus also infects animals, and is a pathogen of livestock. It is a genus of double-stranded RNA virus in the family Reoviridae. There are five species of this virus, referred to as A, B, C, D, and E. Rotavirus A, the most common, causes more than 90% of infections in humans. The virus is transmitted by the faecal-oral route. It infects and damages the cells that line the small intestine and causes gastroenteritis. The diarrhea is caused by multiple activities of the virus. Malabsorption occurs because of the destruction of gut cells called enterocytes. The toxic rotavirus protein induces calcium ion-dependent chloride secretion, disrupts Sodium-dependent glucose co-transporters type one that mediate re-absorption of water, reduces activity of brush-border membrane disaccharides, and possibly activates the calcium ion-dependent secretory reflexes of the enteric nervous system. Diagnosis of infection with rotavirus normally follows diagnosis of gastroenteritis as the cause of severe diarrhea. Specific diagnosis of infection with rotavirus A is made by identification of the virus in the patient’s stool by enzyme immunoassay. Other methods as, electron microscopy and polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, are used in research laboratories. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) can detect and identify all species and serotypes of human rotavirus. Because improved sanitation does not decrease the prevalence of rotaviral disease, and the rate of hospitalizations remains high, despite the use of oral rehydrating medicines, the primary public health intervention is vaccination. Two vaccines against Rotavirus A infection were shown to be safe and effective in children: Rotarix and RotaTeq. Both are taken orally and contain disabled live virus. Rotavirus vaccines are available in Australia, Europe, Canada, Brazil, Egypt, India, Israel, Taiwan, South Africa, Panama, Argentina and the United States. WHO now recommends that rotavirus vaccine be included in all national immunization programs. this study spotlight on rotavirus as a major cause of acute gastroenteritis in infants and young children.