Department of Physics, Chemistry and Biology (IFM)

Rotavirus infection is associated with approximately 600.000 deaths every year, mostly in developing countries, as a result of dehydration from diarrhea and vomiting. The virus works by infecting cells in the small intestine which in turn leads to death of the cells. However it is unclear whether it is a direct link between tissue damage and diarrhea. During infection Tumor Necrosis Factor (TNF) and other cytokines will be produced by cells of the immune system. TNF-alpha has a role in starting the inflammation cascade. Early studies have shown that rotavirus infected tissue show limited or no inflammation. It is speculated that the low inflammatory response is down regulated by the host itself through the cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway. This pathway controls and inhibits the production of e.g. TNF-alpha. 

This project will be a part of a more comprehensive study. The aim of this part was to study the immune responses of rotavirus infected mice compared to uninfected mice.