Molecular biology and immunology of rotavirus infections.

Rotaviruses were first recognized about 15 years ago in association with diarrhea in children and animals. Since then, rotaviruses have been determined to be the most important viral agent that causes clinically significant diarrhea in children and a need for an effective vaccination program has been recognized. This article reviews the progress which has been made in understanding the molecular biology of rotaviruses and summarizes information on the immune responses to rotavirus infections obtained in a new animal model in rabbits. This model is useful to systematically evaluate active protective immunity following infection of seronegative animals.