Rotavirus Antigen (stool)
The Rotavirus Ag (Stool) ELISA is an in vitro procedure for the qualitative determination of rotavirus antigen in feces. It is a double antibody (sandwich) ELISA using a polyclonal anti-rotavirus antibody to capture the antigen from the stool supernatant. A second anti-rotavirus monoclonal antibody is then added, which binds to the complex. This reaction is visualized by the addition of anti-mouse antibodies conjugated to peroxidase. The resulting blue color, following the addition of the chromogen and peroxide, indicates the presence of rotavirus antigens being bound by the anti-rotavirus antibodies.
Rotavirus is one of the leading causes of gastroenteritis in children throughout the world.(2,5,7,9,11-17) Rotavirus infections are most common in infants, but repeated, asymptomatic infections are believed to occur in adults. (1,6) Rotavirus infection occurs by the fecal-oral route. (1) After an incubation period of 1 – 2 days, the onset of gastroenteritis is sudden. Symptoms can last from 4 – 5 days (6) and range from diarrhea and vomiting, to fever, and occasional abdominal pain. (1,6) Loss of fluids and electrolytes can lead to severe dehydration, (1,5,6) hospitalization, and even death. (1) Rotavirus infection appears to peak during the winter season, except in countries with tropical or subtropical climates, where the virus is present year around. (17) There have been many efforts to develop rapid and economical methods for detecting rotavirus antigen in stool. (3,9) Simple to perform enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) and latex agglutination kits have been developed. (4-8) These antigendetection systems have become the test of choice in the clinical setting.
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- Yolken, Robert H., et al. “Enzyme Immunoassay for the Detection of Rotavirus Antigen and Antibody.” Manual of Clinical Laboratory Immunology. 3rd edition, pp. 573-581.
- Lipson, Steven M., et al. “Comparison of Four Latex Agglutination (LA) and Three Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assays (ELISA) for the Detection of Rotavirus in Fecal Specimens.” AJCP. 1989; 92(5) : 637- 643.
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- Mathewson, John J., et al. “ Evaluation of Assay Systmes for the Detection of Rotavirus in Stool Specimens.” Diagn. Microbiol. Infect. Dis. 1989; 12 : 139-141.
- Gerna, Guiseppe, et al. “Comparative Evaluation of a Commercial Enzyme-Linked Immunoassay and Solid-Phase Immune Electron Microscopy for Rotavirus in Pediatric Stool Specimen.” Journal of Clinical Microbiology. June 1987; 25(6) : 1137-1139.
- Thomas, E.E. “Evaluation of Seven Immunoassays for Detection of Rotavirus in Pediatric Stool Samples.” Journal of Clinical Microbiology. June 1988; 26(6) : 1189-1193.
- Dennehy, Penelope H., et al. “ Choice Reference Assay for the Detection of Rotavirus versus Enzyme Immunoassay.” Journal of Clinical Microbiology. June 1990; 28(6) : 1280-1283.
- Gilchrist, Mary J.R., et al. “Comparison of Seven Kits for the Detection of Rotavirus in Fecal Specimens with a Sensitive, Specific Immunoassay.” Diagn. Microbiol. Infect. Dis. 1987; 8 : 221-228.
- Graubelle, P.C., et al. “ Optimized Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay for Detection of Human and Bovine Rotavirus in Stool : Comparison With Electron-Microscopy, Immunoelectro-Osmophoresis, and Fluorescent Antibody Techniques.” Journal of Medical Virology. 1981; 7 : 29-40.
- Dennehy, Penelope H., et al. “ Comparison of Nine Commercial Immunoassays for the Detection of Rotavirus in Fecal Specimens.” Journal of Clinical Microbiology. Sept. 1988; 26(9) : 1630-1634
- Cromien, Janet L., et al. “Evaluation of New Commercial Enzyme Immunoassay for rotavirus Detection.” Journal of Clinical Microbiology. Dec. 1987; 25(12) : 2359-2362.
- Assouli, Sulfan M. El, et al. “Rotavirus Infection in Children in Saudi Arabia.” Am. J. Trop. Med Hyg. 1992; 46(3) : 272-277.