Rapid coagglutination test for detection of rotaviruses in turkeys

Avian rotaviruses present in fecal samples were readily detected using a staphylococcal protein-A coagglutination test on a white porcelain plate. Staphylococci, which produced large amounts of protein-A, were coated with rabbit anti-avian rotavirus serum. The antibody-coated staphylococci were agglutinated specifically by rotavirus present in the fecal sample. The macroscopic agglutination reaction occurred within a few minutes. A total of 40 fecal samples were tested by the coagglutination test. The sensitivity and specificity of the coagglutination test were compared with those of electron microscopy, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and tissue-culture virus-isolation methods. Of the 31 fecal samples positive for rotavirus on electron microscopy, 27 (87%) were positive on coagglutination test. Of the nine electron-microscopy-negative samples, seven (78%) were also negative on coagglutination test. It was concluded that the staphylococcal protein-A coagglutination test can be used as a simple, rapid screening test for avian rotavirus.