[Rapid detection of rotaviruses in feces. Value of a latex test]

We have sought the presence of rotaviruses in 114 fecal samples. Among them, 14 were from African children and the remainder were samples sent to the Poitiers Hospital Virology Laboratory. Three techniques were applied to each sample: latex agglutination (LTX), electron microscopy (EM) after negative staining and ELISA (Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay). 64% of the samples were negative with the three methods. 19.3% were positive with EM and ELISA. The LTX test showed 16.7% positives among these 19.3%. Our series furnished 5.2% uninterpretable results and 3.5% positive uniquely with the LTX test. ELISA is the most sensitive and the most specific technique but LTX is useful for mass screenings. The advantages of LTX include rapidity, simplicity, reduced instrumentation and low cost price. We suggest the possibility of large scale use of this test in countries with a relatively undeveloped hygienic infrastructure where malnutrition of children aggravates rotavirus infections.