Rotavirus affects the intestines and causes vomiting and diarrhea. This infection is especially common in young children, but it can affect adults, too. A rotavirus infection causes a condition called viral gastroenteritis. 

Rotavirus is a double-stranded RNA virus that is commonly associated with gastroenteritis in children. Repeated infections with rotavirus can lead to viral replication in intestinal cells. Changes in intestinal cells leads to intestinal barrier dysfunction, increased intestinal permeability and the easy translocation of environmental immunogens into circulation. Pathogenic rotavirus has been linked to various disorders such as Celiac disease and type 1 diabetes.

What if your result is "EQUIVOCAL"?

An "equivocal" result means that the test results are uncertain or inconclusive. This can happen for several reasons, such as the amount of antibodies being at the threshold level where it's difficult to clearly determine if it's a positive or negative result. Here’s what you might consider doing next:

→ Repeat the Test: Often, an equivocal result leads to a recommendation to repeat the test after some time. This allows your body more time to develop a clearer immune response that can be more easily measured.

→ Consult Your Healthcare Provider: Discuss the results with your healthcare provider. They can provide guidance on the implications of your test results in the context of your symptoms and medical history.

→ Monitor Symptoms: If you are experiencing symptoms that led to the testing, keep track of them and inform your healthcare provider. This can help in determining the next steps in your medical care.

→ Consider Additional Testing: Your doctor might suggest additional tests to rule out or confirm the presence of Rotavirus or other pathogens, especially if you show symptoms consistent with an infection.

Understanding the context and the implications of an equivocal result is best handled by healthcare professionals who can provide personalized advice based on your overall health condition.

Rotaviruses are classified into seven serogroups (A-G); however, only groups A, B, and C are human pathogens.

The Group A Rotaviruses are responsible for the majority of infections.

Globally, Rotavirus is estimated to cause more than 125 million cases of gastroenteritis in children each year. Rotavirus symptoms can include non-bloody watery diarrhea, loss of appetite, low-grade fever, vomiting and abdominal cramping. Symptoms may be severe in infants, young children and virus may shed after resolution. While Rotavirus predominately infects children, it can also affect adults, and produces a more severe disease in immuno-compromised hosts. Transmission is via direct contact or fecal-oral via contaminated objects, food or water (drinking or recreational). Incubation period is typically two days and virus may shed prior to symptom presentation. Anti-emetics may be considered for children > 6 months old. Studies indicate that zinc may reduce severity of illness. The scientific literature does not currently support any specific herbal or nutritional antiviral therapies for this virus type. Lactobacillus casei GG and Saccharomyces boulardii may provide moderate clinical benefit in the treatment of watery diarrhea.

Human rotaviruses belong to the family of Reoviridae. Rotavirus is a double-stranded RNA virus that is commonly associated with gastroenteritis in children.

Known Cross-Reactions: Pollen allergen of Parietaria

Imbalanced bacteria are usually neither pathogenic nor beneficial to the host GI tract. Imbalances can occur when there are insufficient levels of beneficial bacteria and increased levels of commensal bacteria. Certain commensal bacteria are reported as dysbiotic at higher levels.

RNA polymerase III antibodies target RNA polymerase epitopes 11 and 155 and are thus also known as anti-RP11 and anti-RP155.

These antibodies are found in 7% to 41% of patients with SSc and occur most often in dcSSc.

They are diagnostic for SSc, as they are rarely found in other autoimmune diseases, and are included in the 2013 ACR-EULAR classification criteria.

The presence of RNA polymerase III antibodies is associated with progressive skin thickening, gastric antral vascular ectasia (GAVE), and renal crisis.

In addition, these antibodies are associated with onset of cancer within a 2-year timeframe before or after onset of SSc skin changes. Historically, RNA polymerase III antibodies indicated a poor prognosis, but mortality rates improved after the introduction of ACE inhibitors to treat renal crisis; the prognosis for patients with RNA polymerase III antibodies is now better than for those with Scl-70 or U3-RNP antibodies.

RNA polymerase III antibodies target RNA polymerase epitopes 11 and 155 and are thus also known as anti-RP11 and anti-RP155.

These antibodies are found in 7% to 41% of patients with SSc and occur most often in dcSSc.

They are diagnostic for SSc, as they are rarely found in other autoimmune diseases, and are included in the 2013 ACR-EULAR classification criteria.

The presence of RNA polymerase III antibodies is associated with progressive skin thickening, gastric antral vascular ectasia (GAVE), and renal crisis.

In addition, these antibodies are associated with onset of cancer within a 2-year timeframe before or after onset of SSc skin changes. Historically, RNA polymerase III antibodies indicated a poor prognosis, but mortality rates improved after the introduction of ACE inhibitors to treat renal crisis; the prognosis for patients with RNA polymerase III antibodies is now better than for those with Scl-70 or U3-RNP antibodies.

The marker RPR (DX) w/Refl Titer, along with confirmatory non-reactive testing, is an important component of the diagnostic approach to syphilis, a sexually transmitted infection caused by the bacterium Treponema pallidum. RPR, or Rapid Plasma Reagin, is a screening test used to detect antibodies produced by the body in response to a syphilis infection.

The marker "RPR (Rapid Plasma Reagin) Result" on a sexually transmitted disease (STD) test panel is a critical diagnostic tool for syphilis, a bacterial infection caused by Treponema pallidum. The RPR test is a non-treponemal serological screening used to detect the presence of reagin, an antibody-like substance produced in response to the cellular damage caused by the syphilis bacteria. The test measures the levels of these antibodies in the plasma by assessing the agglutination (clumping) of certain cardiolipin-lecithin-cholesterol particles mixed with the patient's serum or plasma.

The RPR test is particularly valued for its ability to screen for active syphilis infections, monitor the effectiveness of treatment, and in some cases, suggest re-infection or treatment failure. A positive RPR result often indicates an active syphilis infection but must be confirmed with specific treponemal tests, like the Fluorescent Treponemal Antibody Absorption (FTA-ABS) test or the Treponema pallidum Particle Agglutination (TP-PA) test, to differentiate it from other conditions that can cause a positive RPR, such as certain autoimmune diseases or other infections.

The marker "RPR (Rapid Plasma Reagin) Titer" on a sexually transmitted disease (STD) test panel is an essential diagnostic tool in the assessment and management of syphilis, a bacterial infection caused by Treponema pallidum. The RPR test is a non-treponemal serological test that quantitatively measures the concentration of reagin antibodies in the blood. These antibodies are produced as an immune response to components released from damaged cells caused by the syphilis bacterium.

The titer, or concentration, of these antibodies is reported as a ratio, which is determined by serially diluting the blood sample and noting the highest dilution at which agglutination (clumping) of test antigens still occurs.

The RPR (Rapid Plasma Reagin) test is a screening blood test used to detect syphilis, a sexually transmitted infection caused by the bacterium Treponema pallidum. It identifies the presence of antibodies in the blood that the body produces in response to the infection. A non-reactive or negative RPR result generally indicates the absence of active syphilis infection. However, it's crucial to note that a confirmatory test is often necessary to validate the RPR findings.

A rubella blood test checks to see if you have antibodies to the rubella virus. Antibodies are proteins your immune system makes to help fight infections and keep you from getting sick. They're targeted to specific germs, viruses, and other invaders. Your doctor can tell a lot from the type of antibodies that you have in your blood.

Rubella, also called German measles or 3-day measles, isn't a problem for most people. It causes a mild fever and rash that go away in a few days. Most kids get vaccinated for it with the MMR (measles-mumps-rubella) or MMRV (which also includes chickenpox) shots.

But when you're pregnant, rubella can be very serious. If you get it in the first 4 months, your baby could have eye, hearing, or heart problems or be born too soon.

Rubidium is a relatively benign element that typically parallels the potassium level. It varies according to levels found in water supplies. 

SOURCES:

Soil, rocks, vegetation, water, contrast agent for PET scans, atomic clocks, photoelectric cells, magnetometers, GPS systems, fireworks.

NUTRIENT INTERACTIONS:

Rubidium resembles potassium, and these two elements are metabolically interchangeable.

PHYSIOLOGIC EFFECTS:

Rb is rapidly and completely absorbed by the GI tract when ingested and is excreted mainly through the kidneys. Urinary excretion is consistent with a 50-day half-life. Physiologically, rubidium most resembles potassium, and these two elements are metabolically interchangeable. In the myocardium it is an active participant in the NA/K pump. Rubidium and lithium are often studied for CNS dysfunctions including mania and depression, and may work through the NMDA/nitrergic pathways.

CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE:

Rb chloride was used historically to treat cardiac issues, syphilis, epilepsy and more recently has been studied for depression. Excess rubidium chloride was associated with weight gain, diarrhea, nausea/vomiting, polyuria, confusion, excitement/agitation and dermatitis. In rats, rubidium chloride administration led to hypokalemia.

Rubidium is a relatively benign element that typically parallels the potassium level. It varies according to levels found in water supplies.