Identification of an enteric adenovirus by immunoelectroosmophoresis (IEOP) technique

Infantile gastroenteritis can be caused by several of the established adenovirus types. There are also adenoviruses that defy in vitro cultivation but have been recognized by electron microscopy. One isolate of these viruses, which have been designated enteric adenoviruses, has been characterized. Several of the established adenovirus types are shed in stools over long periods. The conditions for direct identification of enteric adenoviruses by immunoelectroosmophoresis (IEOP) have therefore been evaluated. Application of this technique requires highly specific reagents. However, a high prevalence of antibodies in rabbits reacting with human rotavirus was noted. For these reasons, immunoadsorbent purified antibodies were prepared. Because of the difficulty in purifying immunogens from stools, an immunization procedure characterized by immunization with adenovirus subunits bound to affinity chromatography beads was elaborated. An identification procedure for adenoviruses causing infantile gastroenteritis based a) on IEOP using group-specific and monospecific antibodies and b) on the determination of the in vitro cultivatability is suggested.