Concentration of rotavirus and enteroviruses from blue crabs (Callinectes sapidus)

A simple method for concentration and detection of rotavirus and enteroviruses in the blue crab is described. Virus was separated from tissue homogenates at pH 9.5, concentrated by adsorption to protein precipitates at pH 3.5, and recovered by elution of precipitates at pH 9.2. Test samples of 12 to 15 ml were produced from an initial 100 g of crab tissues. Cat-floc precipitation was used to remove sample toxicity for cell cultures. Recovery effectiveness averaged 52% with poliovirus 1, echovirus 7, and coxsackievirus B5 and 23% with rotavirus SA11.