[Acute viral gastroenteritis in children]

Abstract

The article presents common etiologic agents of viral gastroenteritis in children. The actual knowledge on molecular characteristics of rotaviruses, noroviruses, sapoviruses, astroviruses, and adenoviruses as well as their epidemiology in the world and Poland is reviewed. The authors emphasize the need of greater use of molecular procedures (RT-PCR) for detection the common serotypes of rotavirus and other viral agents of gastroenteritis in Polish children. Familiarity with molecular epidemiology of viruses and with their antigenic diversity allows to elaborate and apply the adequate vaccines as well as to initiate the prophylactic procedures.