Viral infections of the gastrointestinal tract.

Viral gastroenteritis is a major public health problem worldwide, and the number of identified pathogens continuously increases. Investigators have made considerable progress toward understanding both the epidemiology and the mechanisms of virus-cell interactions, host responses, and pathogenesis. A vaccine for the most important pathogen, rotavirus, has been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration, but possible complications have temporarily curbed the use of this vaccine.