Developments in understanding acquired immunity and innate susceptibility to norovirus and rotavirus gastroenteritis in children.

Abstract

We discuss recent advances in the understanding of acquired immunity and susceptibility to the two major pediatric enteric viral pathogens, norovirus and rotavirus. The prominent decline in severe rotavirus gastroenteritis in areas with mature rotavirus vaccination programmes has correspondingly unmasked the significant burden of disease associated with norovirus gastroenteritis among children. As epidemiologists and vaccinologists set their sights on this next vaccine target, we provide an update on norovirus vaccine development.In addition to these developments regarding acquired immunity, refinements to our understanding of innate susceptibility to norovirus has advanced. Significant recent advances now describe similar immunologic mechanisms in understanding susceptibility for both norovirus and rotavirus, involving histo-blood group antigenic associations, which may also prove to be genotype specific. This information can potentially be used to tailor both applied and developmental efforts to public health interventions against these important pediatric enteric viral pathogens.