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Diagnosis of human rotavirus in stool specimens: comparison of different methods
S K Paul1, S Tabassum, M N Islam
1Department of Microbiology, Mymensingh Medical College.
Insights
This study evaluated rotavirus detection in children with acute gastroenteritis using Polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE), enzyme immunoassay (EIA), and latex agglutination test (LAT). LAT proved simplest and most economical for clinical and field use.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Clinical Diagnostics
- Pediatrics
Background:
- Acute gastroenteritis is a significant health concern in children under 5.
- Rotavirus is a leading cause of severe gastroenteritis in this age group.
- Accurate and rapid diagnostic methods are crucial for patient management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the diagnostic performance of Polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE), enzyme immunoassay (EIA), and latex agglutination test (LAT) for rotavirus detection.
- To assess the sensitivity and specificity of EIA and LAT against PAGE.
- To evaluate the suitability of LAT for bedside and field applications.
Main Methods:
- Stool specimens from 345 hospitalized children with acute gastroenteritis were analyzed.
- Rotavirus detection was performed using PAGE, EIA, and LAT.
- Diagnostic parameters (sensitivity, specificity) were calculated using PAGE as the gold standard.
Main Results:
- Rotavirus was detected in 24.9% of specimens by PAGE and 20.9% by EIA.
- EIA demonstrated a sensitivity of 75.6% and specificity of 98.1% compared to PAGE.
- LAT showed 70.9% sensitivity and 100% specificity, with notable simplicity and cost-effectiveness.
Conclusions:
- LAT is a simple, economical, and effective method for rotavirus detection in clinical and field settings.
- While EIA offers high specificity, LAT provides a practical alternative for rapid diagnosis.
- Accurate rotavirus diagnosis in young children is essential for appropriate treatment and public health surveillance.
Abstract:
A total of 345 stool specimens of hospitalized children below 5 years of age with acute gastroenteritis were tested for the presence of rotavirus by Polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE), a monoclonal antibody based enzyme immunoassay (EIA) and a latex agglutination test (LAT). Detection rate for PAGE and EIA were 24.9% (345/86) and 20.9% (345/70) respectively. Using PAGE as the standard, the sensitivity and specificity of EIA were 75.6% and 98.1% respectively. The sensitivity of LAT was 70.9% with 100% specificity (LAT was done in only PAGE positive specimens). LAT appeared as the simplest and economic for both bed side and field use.
