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Coproantibody response to rotavirus infection
The Medical Journal of Australia
|November 1, 1980
Summary
This study shows that rotavirus-specific antibodies (IgA, IgG, IgM) in stool can diagnose recent rotavirus infections. Antibody levels peak within a month and return to undetectable levels after two months.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Virology
- Gastroenterology
Background:
- Diarrheal disease outbreaks can be caused by rotavirus.
- Diagnosing rotavirus infection often requires serum samples.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the potential of using fecal immunoglobulins for diagnosing recent rotavirus infections.
- To characterize the temporal response of rotavirus-specific IgA, IgG, and IgM in stool.
Main Methods:
- Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to measure rotavirus-specific IgA, IgG, and IgM in fecal extracts.
- Fecal samples were collected from individuals during and after a family outbreak of diarrheal disease.
- Rotavirus infection was confirmed by electron microscopy in some patients.
Main Results:
- All five patients with confirmed rotavirus infection showed a transient specific-antibody response in stool.
- Antirotaviral IgA, IgM, and IgG peaked between two to four weeks post-infection.
- Antibody levels decreased to undetectable levels within two months after infection.
Conclusions:
- Fecal rotavirus-specific immunoglobulins (IgA, IgG, IgM) provide a basis for simple diagnosis of recent rotavirus infections.
- This method may eliminate the need for serum samples in diagnosing rotavirus.
- Further studies with larger patient numbers are needed to confirm these findings.