[Demonstration of rotaviruses in feces by means of the complement fixation test]

Complement fixation test for the detection of Rotavirus in stools has been evaluated. Removal of anticomplementary activity from the stools by absorption with complement or fetal calf serum was obtained. Then human reference serum pools were checked for the optimal dilution to be employed in the test. Sensibility and specificity of the c.f. method was determined on faecal specimens controlled by EM. The results indicate that c.f. test is adequate for, and easily adaptable to the detection of Rotaviruses in the stools.