Rotavirus is the most common case of diarrhea in infants and young children.  It is usually spread from person to person but can also be spread by contaminated food and water. Current assays to detect Rotavirus are from stool swabs. A salivary based assay for Rotavirus would be more convenient that stool based assays because it is easier to collect saliva than stool. This project aims to develop a non-invasive diagnostic saliva assay to detect Group A Rotavirus Infection. We are collecting specimens from volunteers in a hospital field site.

Rotavirus. Three-dimensional Structural Studies on Macromolecular Assemblies in Connection with Pathogenesis of Viruses that Cause Gastroenteritis: Rotavirus, Calicivinus, and Norwalk Viruses. By B.V. Venkataram Prasad, Ph.D..

Noroviruses are the most common cause of outbreaks of “stomach flu” (nausea, vomiting, diarrhea) in older children and adults in the United States and a common cause of diarrhea worldwide. These viruses are sometimes found in drinking water, ice, and shellfish and in other foods. They are very contagious and can be spread easily from contact with water, food, objects or hands that have even small amounts of stool from someone who was sick. Current assays to detect Norovirus are from stool samples. A salivary based assay for Norovirus would be more convenient that stool based assays because it is easier to collect saliva than stool. We have developed a salivary assay for Norovirus (Link) and are further refining it.

Norovirus. Three-dimensional Structural Studies on Macromolecular Assemblies in Connection with Pathogenesis of Viruses that Cause Gastroenteritis: Rotavirus, Calicivinus, and Norwalk Viruses. By B.V. Venkataram Prasad, Ph.D.