Insights into recent advancements in human and animal rotavirus vaccines: Exploring new frontiers

Abstract

Rotavirus infections cause severe gastroenteritis and dehydration in young children and animals worldwide, leading to high rates of morbidity and mortality, predominantly in low- and middle-income countries. In the past decade, substantial progress has been made in the development and implementation of rotavirus vaccines, which have been essential in alleviating the global burden of this disease, not only in human being but also in livestock species like calves and piglets, where these infections can cause significant economic losses. By synthesizing the latest research and real-world evidence, this review article is designated to provide deep insights into the current state of rotavirus vaccine technology and its global implementation as well as the application of rotavirus vaccines in veterinary settings and their importance in controlling zoonotic transmission and maintaining food security.

Keywords: Childhood diarrhea; Domestic animals; Group A rotavirus; One health; Rotavirus vaccines.

Fig. 1

Schematic diagram of the rotavirus particle. The infectious triple-layered particle (TLP) comprises an outer capsid composed of VP7 and VP4 spikes, a middle layer composed of VP6, and an inner layer composed of VP2 to which transcriptional enzymes VP1 and VP3 are anchored. Figure created with BioRender.com.

Fig. 2

The characteristics of currently available human Rotavirus vaccines. Figure created with BioRender.com.

Fig. 3

Disadvantages of currently available rotavirus vaccines versus advantages of new vaccine candidates. Figure created with BioRender.com.