Mycology and Virology (5021)

Viral Infections of the

Gastrointestinal Tract
Submitted by:
Julianna Viktoria F. Tumibay
Submitted to:
Sir Leonard John Bulan, RMT
 Norovirus
Morphology Noroviruses belong to the Caliciviridae family and have a non-
enveloped, icosahedral capsid.

Diagnosis Detection of norovirus can be done through PCR-based tests or

enzyme immunoassays (EIAs) on stool samples.

Signs and Symptoms Nausea, vomiting, watery diarrhea, abdominal pain, and sometimes
low-grade fever. Rapid onset and self-limiting nature.

Treatment There is no specific antiviral treatment for norovirus. Rehydration is

crucial to manage symptoms, especially in cases of dehydration.

Prevention Handwashing with soap and water, especially after using the
bathroom and before handling food. Proper food handling,
disinfection of contaminated surfaces, and avoiding close contact
with infected individuals.

Rotavirus
Morphology Rotaviruses belong to the Reoviridae family and have a non-
enveloped, triple-layered capsid.

Diagnosis: Detection of rotavirus can be done through antigen detection tests on

stool samples, such as enzyme immunoassays (EIAs).

Signs and Symptoms Severe watery diarrhea, vomiting, fever, and abdominal pain. Can
cause dehydration, especially in young children.

Treatment Supportive care includes maintaining hydration through oral

rehydration solutions or intravenous fluids if necessary. Rotavirus
vaccines are available for the prevention

Prevention Vaccination with rotavirus vaccines is recommended for infants,

good hand hygiene, proper food handling, and avoiding contact with
infected individuals.

Enteroviruses (e.g., Coxsackievirus, Enterovirus 71)

Morphology Enteroviruses belong to the Picornaviridae family and have a non-
enveloped, icosahedral capsid.

Diagnosis: Enterovirus infections can be diagnosed through PCR-based tests or

viral culture of stool samples, throat swabs, or cerebrospinal fluid (in
severe cases).

Signs and Symptoms Enterovirus infections can cause a range of symptoms, including
gastrointestinal manifestations such as diarrhea, vomiting,
 abdominal pain, along with other symptoms like fever, rash, sore
throat, and neurological complications in some cases.

Treatment Supportive care is provided to manage symptoms. Severe cases may

require hospitalization and specific interventions based on
complications.

Prevention Good hand hygiene, proper sanitation practices, avoiding close

contact with infected individuals, and practicing respiratory hygiene
(covering mouth and nose while coughing/sneezing).

Adenovirus
Morphology Adenoviruses belong to the Adenoviridae family and have a non-
enveloped, icosahedral capsid.

Diagnosis: Adenovirus infections can be diagnosed through viral culture, PCR,

or antigen detection methods on stool samples.

Signs and Symptoms Adenoviruses can cause gastrointestinal symptoms such as diarrhea,
vomiting, abdominal pain, along with respiratory symptoms,
conjunctivitis, and other manifestations.

Treatment Supportive care is provided to manage symptoms. Severe cases may

require hospitalization and specific interventions based on
complications.

Prevention Hand hygiene, vaccination (where available), avoidance of close

contact with infected individuals, and practicing respiratory and
gastrointestinal hygiene.

Astrovirus
Morphology Astroviruses are small, non-enveloped viruses with a characteristic
star-like shape when viewed under an electron microscope. They
belong to the Astroviridae family and have a positive-sense, single-
stranded RNA genome.

Diagnosis: Diagnosis of astrovirus infection can be made through various

methods such as Antigen detection, electron microscopy, and PCR
or Polymerase Chain Reaction

Signs and Symptoms Astrovirus infections can cause a range of symptoms, particularly
affecting the gastrointestinal system. Common signs and symptoms
include diarrhea (often watery), vomiting, abdominal pain, and
occasionally, fever.

Treatment There is no specific antiviral treatment for astrovirus infections.

Most cases resolve on their own with supportive care. Treatment may
 include hydration, symptomatic relief, prevention and prevention
and management of complications.

Prevention To prevent astrovirus infections, you can take the following

measures such as regularly washing hands with soap and water,
especially after using the bathroom and before handling food,
properly cooking and handling food to avoid contamination,
drinking clean, safe water from reliable sources, and minimizing
contact with individuals who have gastrointestinal symptoms or are
known to be infected with astrovirus.

References:

https://bio.libretexts.org/Bookshelves/Microbiology/Microbiology_(OpenStax)/24%3A_Digestive_System_Infect
ions/24.04%3A_Viral_Infections_of_the_Gastrointestinal_Tracthttps://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30127286/