Rotavirus (RV)
| Characteristics | |
|---|---|
| Morphology | Rotavirus (RV) is a segmented double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) virus of the Reoviridae family. It is observed as a non-enveloped icosahedral triple-layered particle (TLP) of ∼100 nm in diameter that resembles a wheel (Latin rota). RV has a ∼18.5k bp segmented genome with 11 dsRNA molecules that encode six structural proteins and five or six nonstructural proteins depending on the strain. There are nine species of the genus, referred to as A, B, C, D, F, G, H, I and J. Rotavirus A (RVA), the most common species, causes more than 90% of rotavirus infections in humans. Several species infect other hosts as well, such as Simian Rotavirus (strain SA-11) |
| Growth Conditions | Propagated in the MA-104 Clone 1 cell line using standard culture conditions (37°C, 5% CO2) |
| Health Hazards | |
|---|---|
| Host Range | Human, Vertebrates. Rotaviruses generally exhibit substantial host-range restriction. |
| Modes of Transmission | RV is transmitted by the fecal-oral route. It infects and damages the cells that line the small intestine and causes gastroenteritis. Common exposure incidents putting unwashed hands that are contaminated with stool into the mouth, touching contaminated objects or surfaces and then putting fingers in the mouth, and eat contaminated food. |
| Signs and Symptoms | Symptoms usually start about two days after a person is exposed to rotavirus. Vomiting and watery diarrhea can last three to eight days. Additional symptoms may include loss of appetite and dehydration (loss of body fluids), which can be especially dangerous for infants and young children. |
| Infectious Dose | The infectious dose is small, an inoculum of as few as 10-100 virus particles is sufficient to produce illness |
| Incubation Period | The incubation period is 1-2 days |
| Medical Precautions/Treatment | |
|---|---|
| Prophylaxis | Hand washing with soap and water, limiting contact with contaminated food, water, surfaces or body fluids. Vaccinations can help prevent infections |
| Vaccines | Vaccines are readily available |
| Treatment | There is no specific therapy to treat RV other than rest, oral rehydration and intravenous electrolyte replacement. Seek medical attention if symptoms become severe. |
| Surveillance | Monitor for symptoms. Excretion of RV may be confirmed by analyzing stool samples using antigen-detecting assays (enzyme immunoassays, immunochromatographic rapid tests), PCR, and qPCR |
| GWU Requirements | Report all incidents to the Office of Risk Management as well as the Office of Research Safety (ORS) IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING THE OCCURRENCE. |
| Containment | |
|---|---|
| BSL-2 | Risk Group 2 classification is applied to RV. BSL-2 practices and containment equipment for all activities involving the virus or any infectious or potentially infectious body fluids or tissues. All procedures that may produce aerosols, or involve high concentrations or large volumes should be conducted in a biological safety cabinet (BSC). |
| Spill Procedures | |
|---|---|
| Small Spills (<1 liter) | If the spill occurred inside a biological safety cabinet, close the sash and allow the cabinet to operate for 15 minutes before continuing with the spill cleanup.
While RV exposure via aerosol transmission is uncommon, but caution should still be taken during a spill outside of a BSC. Leave the room immediately and allow the aerosols to dissipate for 15 minutes. Notify others working in the lab. Don appropriate PPE. Cover area of the spill with paper towels or any absorbent material and apply an EPA registered disinfectant effective against non-enveloped viruses (bleach, cavicide, and peroxide), working from the perimeter towards the center. Allow 30 minutes of contact time before disposal and cleanup of spill materials. |
| Large Spills | Alert lab personnel in the laboratory to the spill and keep people out of the area to prevent spread of the contamination. Check if you have been contaminated or if any of your PPE has been breached. If so follow exposure procedures. Remove any contaminated clothing and place it the biohazard waste. Wash your hands and post a sign on the door. Notify your supervisor of the incident and call ORS (4-8258) for assistance. If the situation involves an imminently life-threatening injury or has catastrophic potential, call 911. |
| Exposure Procedures | |
|---|---|
| Mucus Membrane | Flush eyes, mouth or nose for 15 minutes at eyewash station. |
| Other Exposure | Wash area with soap and water for 15 minutes. Alcohol-based hand disinfectants are NOT effective |
| Reporting | Report ALL injuries to the PI immediately and reported to the Office of Risk Management at [email protected] IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING THE OCCURRENCE. Exposures that involve a bloodborne-pathogen or recombinant DNA also need to be reported to the Office of Research Safety at [email protected]. If the injury requires immediate medical attention, call GWPD at 202-994-6111 or call 911. |
| Medical Monitoring | Seek immediate medical evaluation, treatment, and post exposure follow-up at the Employee Health Office at GWU Hospital (900 23rd St., NW, Suite G-1090, Phone: 202-715-4275). Students should go to the Students Health Office at Marvin Center. After hours treatment can be received at the GWU hospital emergency room. |
| Stability | |
|---|---|
| Disinfection | Susceptible to 10% bleach for 10-20 minutes; any other EPA registered disinfectant with a label claim for Rotavirus such as cavicide and peroxide-based disinfectants |
| Inactivation | Noroviruses are inactivated by high temperatures, extreme pH conditions, and UV irradiation (15 minutes) |
| Survival Outside Host | Rotavirus is very stable and may remain viable in the environment for weeks or months if disinfection does not occur |
| Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) | |
|---|---|
| Minimum PPE Requirements | At minimum, personnel are required to don gloves, closed toed shoes, lab coat, and appropriate face and eye protection prior to working with RV. Additional PPE may be required depending on lab specific SOPs. |
| Additional Precautions | Additional protection may be worn over laboratory clothing when infectious materials are directly handled, such as solid-front gowns with tight fitting wrists and gloves. |
| References | |
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