Alterations of the gut microbiome can have significant effects on gastrointestinal homeostasis leading to various diseases and symptoms. Increased understanding of rotavirus infection in relation to the microbiota can provide better understanding on how microbiota can be used for clinical prevention as well as treatment strategies. Our volumetric 3D imaging data show that antibiotic treatment and its consequent reduction of the microbial load does not alter the extent of rotavirus infection of enterocytes in the small intestine and that restriction factors other than bacteria limit the infection of colonocytes.
Keywords: colon; enterocytes; microbiota; rotavirus.