Serotyping of rotavirus by NADP-enhanced enzyme-immunoassay

A method is described for the serotyping of rotaviruses directly from samples of faeces. Serotype-specific monoclonal antibodies were used in a solid phase enzyme-immunoassay utilising a novel substrate system based on the de-phosphorylation of NADP, followed by cyclic colour reaction. This method is shown to be approximately 5-10 times more specific and sensitive than assays utilising a conventional substrate for alkaline phosphatase, and allowed serotypes to be ascribed to samples which could not be typed by other methods. The value of this method for rotavirus epidemiology and vaccine trials is discussed.