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EDUCATIONAL GUIDE Gastroenteritis

EDUCATIONAL GUIDE Gastroenteritis
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EDUCATIONAL GUIDE Gastroenteritis

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Gastroenteritis, commonly referred to as stomach flu or stomach bug, is an inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract that presents with symptoms such as diarrhoea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and fever, which affects millions of individuals annually. It is often caused by viral or bacterial infections, and occasionally by parasitic organisms. Among the primary pathogens responsible for gastroenteritis cases, rotavirus and norovirus are two highly contagious viruses that can spread rapidly in various settings, including healthcare facilities, schools, and community gatherings. On the...

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These VPs are also used to categorise rotaviruses. VP7 is a glycoprotein, often referred to as the ‘G-type’ protein, while VP4 is a protease-sensitive protein, known as the ‘P-type’ protein. There are 32 known G genotypes. The most common are G1, G2, G3, G4, G9 and G12. The nomenclature for P-type proteins is slightly more complex. The serotype is referred to by the number following the P, for example, P1. The genotype is denoted in brackets, for example, P[4]. The P genotype is primarily used for classification methods due to challenges in standardising VP4 serotype assays. These...

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Whilst children under 5 are considered high risk, neonates are rarely infected due to the transplacental transfer of maternal antibodies. Concentrations of these antibodies decline in synchrony with the age of maximum susceptibility, between 3 months and 2 years old4. Rotavirus can infect healthy adults, but symptomatic infection is relatively uncommon, usually pertaining to a significantly high viral load or an uncommon strain. Rotavirus virulence is multigenic, the table below details the role of the genes involved. Encodes the capping enzyme, affecting levels of viral RNA replication...

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The treatment for rotavirus infection is focused on symptom management. Hydration and nutritional support are crucial, and are usually accompanied by supportive care for any pain or fever the patient may experience. The highly infectious nature of rotavirus means those infected should remain in isolation, particularly children or the elderly. Proper hygiene, including regular handwashing, is essential to limit the spread of rotavirus. However, the most effective means to stop transmission of this virus is vaccination. There are two commercially available rotavirus vaccines: Rotarix (RV1), a...

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Noroviruses infect individuals differently, and not all norovirus genotypes are equally pathogenic. To carry out its action, the norovirus needs to bind to histo-blood group antigens (HBGAs)6. HBGAs are glycans found on the surface of some types of red blood cells and determine ABO blood grouping system and Lewis blood grouping system. Different norovirus genotypes have differing binding specificity between HBGA and VP1 (the viral binding protein) causing differences in individual susceptibility. It has been reported that those with blood type AB or B are less susceptible to some strains of...

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The leading risk factor for C. difficile infection is antibiotic use. Antibiotics including penicillin, cephalosporins, fluoroquinolones and more are strongly implicated in C. difficile infection. Other risk factors include advanced age, chemotherapy, use of protein pump inhibitors, chronic kidney disease, chronic liver disease and malnutrition8. This bacteria infects up to 500’000 Americans every year, 15’000 of whom die due to C. difficile infections directly. In addition, more than half of those hospitalised will receive antibiotic therapy, and it is thought that up to 50% of these may...

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Classical evaluation for gastroenteritis comes in the form of a clinical diagnosis, meaning a clinician evaluates the symptoms and makes a diagnosis based on their experience. This means those who appear hydrated and do not display the common risk factors are generally not subject to additional testing for gastroenteritis. Mild leucocytosis may be present in a complete blood count and mild elevation of some inflammatory markers may occur1. Dehydration may present as acute kidney injury which can be measured through urea and creatinine concentration or by more contemporary methods such as...

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Biochip Technology The Vivalytic system employs Randox’s patented Biochip Array Technology, a revolutionary method that enables simultaneous detection of multiple targets from a single patient sample. Each biochip is pre-fabricated with spatially discrete testing regions (DTRs), with each DTR representing an individual test. These regions can be populated with oligonucleotides specific to a pathogen or target of interest, allowing comprehensive multiplex testing. The Vivalytic system employs two distinct detection methodologies, offering versatility in molecular diagnostics. One detection...

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Qualitative RT-PCR detection of Norovirus The Vivalytic Norovirus Panel is specifically designed to detect Norovirus (genogroup I/II) in various clinical specimens, streamlining healthcare practices. This advanced diagnostic tool enables healthcare providers to effectively combat Norovirus infections and implement necessary preventive measures in diverse settings, such as hospitals, long-term care facilities, and schools. • Turnaround time = > 60 minutes Liquid or soft stool sample Detectable pathogens = Norovirus genogroups I/II Qualitative RT-PCR detection of Rota-, Norovirus & C. diff...

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In the battle against gastroenteritis, knowledge is power, and cutting-edge diagnostics are essential. With the insights gained from this guide, healthcare professionals are better equipped to navigate the complexities of gastroenteritis, improve patient outcomes, and safeguard public health. Stuempfig ND, Seroy J. Viral Gastroenteritis. StatPearls Publishing; 2023. Accessed May 27, 2024. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK518995/. Crawford SE, Ramani S, Tate JE, et al. Rotavirus infection. Nat Rev Dis Primers. 2017;3(1):17083. doi:10.1038/nrdp.2017.83. Du Y, Chen C, Zhang X, et al....

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