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Updated: Nov 23, 2025
Assays for the Specific Growth Rate and Cell-binding Ability of Rotavirus
Published on: January 28, 2019
Rotavirus and adenovirus detecting method: sensitivity and specificity of rapid antigen testing: prospective study in
1South West Acute Hospital, 124 Irvinestown Rd, Enniskillen, BT 74 6DN Northern Ireland.
Insights
Rapid Antigen Testing (RAT) for rotavirus and adenovirus in children is more specific than sensitive. While useful for outbreak screening, PCR testing remains the gold standard for accurate diagnosis.
Area of Science:
- Clinical Microbiology
- Pediatric Infectious Diseases
- Diagnostic Accuracy Studies
Background:
- Rotavirus and Adenovirus are leading causes of gastroenteritis in young children globally.
- Rapid Antigen Testing (RAT) offers quick detection but has limitations in sensitivity.
- Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) methods provide higher sensitivity and specificity for viral diagnosis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate and compare the diagnostic accuracy of RAT versus PCR for rotavirus and adenovirus.
- To determine the sensitivity and specificity of RAT in detecting these common pediatric viral pathogens.
Main Methods:
- A prospective study conducted from November 2016 to November 2017 at Mayo University Hospital.
- Stool samples from children under 3 years with vomiting and diarrhea were tested using RAT and PCR.
- Samples were analyzed by RAT at Galway University Hospital Laboratory and by PCR at the National Virus Reference Laboratory.
Main Results:
- For Adenovirus: RAT demonstrated 98.5% specificity and 88% sensitivity, with 2 false positives and 2 false negatives.
- For Rotavirus: RAT showed 99% specificity and 72% sensitivity, with 1 false positive and 10 false negatives.
- PCR confirmed higher sensitivity and specificity compared to RAT for both viruses.
Conclusions:
- Rapid Antigen Testing exhibits higher specificity than sensitivity for rotavirus and adenovirus detection.
- RAT may serve as a valuable tool for mass screening during viral gastroenteritis outbreaks in children.
- PCR testing remains essential for definitive diagnosis due to its superior sensitivity and specificity.
Abstract:
Rotavirus and Adenovirus are common causes of gastroenteritis in children younger than 3 years worldwide. Rapid Antigen Testing (RAT) is a quick and easy tool to detect virus antigen in stool samples and is more specific than sensitive (higher specificity and lesser sensitivity). Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and PCR are more sensitive and specific than RAT. Sensitive and specific tools are required for true diagnosis. We aim to determine sensitivity and specificity of RAT versus PCR testing of rotavirus and adenovirus. From November 18th 2016 to November 18th 2017, all children up to 3 years of age who presented to Mayo University Hospital with vomiting and diarrhoea had their stool tested for rotavirus and adenovirus by RAT in Galway University Hospital Laboratory (GUHL) and by PCR testing in the National Virus Reference Laboratory (NVRL) in Dublin; 143 stool samples were tested for Adenovirus, 126 (88%) tested negative at NVRL, two false positive at GUHL, specificity (98.5%). Seventeen were adenovirus positive in the NVRL, two false negative in GUHL, sensitivity (88%); 144 samples were tested for rotavirus, 108 (75%) were RV negative in the NVRL, one false positive at GUHL, specificity (99%); 36 samples were rotavirus positive in the NVRL, ten (28%) false negative in GUHL, sensitivity (72%). RAT has higher specificity than sensitivity and may be useful for mass screening at times of rotavirus or adenovirus outbreaks. PCR remains more sensitive and specific than RAT and is still required for true diagnosis.
