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Published on: January 28, 2019
Rapid ELISA for the diagnosis of rotavirus
S D Kelkar1, V S Bhide, S S Ranshing
1Rotavirus Department, National Institute of Virology, Pune, India.
Insights
A new rapid enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) accurately diagnoses rotavirus gastroenteritis in children. This quick diagnostic tool can reduce unnecessary antibiotic use for viral infections.
Area of Science:
- Medical Diagnostics
- Virology
- Immunology
Background:
- Rotavirus is a primary global cause of gastroenteritis in young children.
- Accurate and timely diagnosis is crucial for effective patient management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a rapid enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for diagnosing rotavirus infections.
- To evaluate the performance of the rapid ELISA compared to existing methods.
Main Methods:
- Immune serum was generated in rabbits using a semipurified rotavirus (SA-11 strain).
- Immunoglobulins were conjugated with horseradish peroxidase to create the rapid ELISA.
- The developed rapid ELISA was validated against a routine ELISA at NIV.
Main Results:
- The rapid ELISA correctly identified 96 out of 155 (62%) diarrheal fecal samples.
- Routine NIV ELISA identified 95 samples (61%) as positive.
- The rapid ELISA demonstrated higher optical density (OD) values and a completion time of 4 hours.
Conclusions:
- The rapid ELISA offers a simple and efficient method for rotavirus diagnosis.
- This diagnostic advancement can decrease inappropriate antibiotic prescriptions for viral gastroenteritis.
- The technology is currently undergoing commercialization.
Background & Objectives:
Rotavirus is the major cause of gastroenteritis in infants and young children all over the world. The objective of the study was to develop a rapid ELISA for the diagnosis of rotavirus infection in children hospitalised with diarrhoea.
Methods:
Immune serum was raised in rabbits by inoculating semipurified rotavirus, SA-11 strain. Immunoglobulins were conjugated to horse radish peroxidase and a rapid ELISA for rotavirus diagnosis was developed. The rapid ELISA was compared with routine ELISA, developed earlier at NIV.
Results:
Of the 155 faecal samples from patients with diarrhoea, 96 were positive by rapid ELISA and 95 in routine NIV ELISA. OD values were higher in rapid ELISA. The rapid ELISA takes only 4 h to complete.
Interpretation & Conclusion:
Rotavirus diagnosis by rapid ELISA is simple and easy to perform. This may lead to a significant reduction in the unnecessary usage of antibiotics, which cannot control infection due to rotavirus. This technology is being commercialized.
