Rotavirus virus-like particles (RV-VLPs) vaccines: An update.

Rotaviruses (RVs) cause over 0.2 million deaths annually and are reported to be the foremost cause of gastroenteritis in infants and children worldwide. Vaccination against RVs is the most successful and unsurpassed strategy to combat infection to date. Although the 2 current vaccines, Rotarix and RotaTeq, have dramatically reduced the disease burden, still there is a need for new vaccines. In this context, RV virus-like particles (RV-VLPs) represent potential vaccine candidates as they are noninfectious and effective nonreplicating immunogens that may reduce the risk of side effects related to the conventional vaccines. VLPs being conformationally similar to the parent virus are highly immunogenic and hence provide enhanced protection and better serotype coverage. In this review, we have highlighted the various advantages and the implications of RV-VLPs, discussed the general strategies employed for their production, and talked about the recent developments made in this regard. Overall, the review emphasizes the probable utility of RV-VLPs in eradicating the highly widespread RVs.