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J Clin Microbiol. 1989 April; 27(4): 775-777

Comparison of a new rapid test (TestPack Rotavirus) with standard enzyme immunoassay and electron microscopy for the detection of rotavirus in symptomatic hospitalized children.

Department of Internal Medicine, Orlando Regional Medical Center, Florida 32806.

ABSTRACT

We compared a new, rapid, qualitative test for rotavirus (TestPack Rotavirus; Abbott Laboratories, North Chicago, Ill.) with another enzyme immunoassay (Pathfinder Rotavirus; Kallestad Laboratories, Inc., Austin, Tex.) and electron microscopy to determine its clinical utility in a population of symptomatic hospitalized children. In the first part of the study, 100 frozen stool samples were tested. The results after resolution with a blocking reagent showed a sensitivity of only 50% and a specificity of 88% for TestPack Rotavirus. In the second part of the study, we tested TestPack Rotavirus on 100 fresh, unfrozen samples. The results (sensitivity/specificity) were as follows: TestPack Rotavirus, 95/90%; Pathfinder Rotavirus, 84/98%; direct electron microscopy, 63/100%. Although it was not as sensitive or specific as immune electron microscopy, TestPack Rotavirus was more sensitive than direct electron microscopy or Kallestad Pathfinder Rotavirus. TestPack Rotavirus represents a rapid, qualitative method for the detection of rotavirus in stools of symptomatic children.

This article has been cited by other articles:

• Frühwirth, M, Karmaus, W, Moll-Schüler, I, Brösl, S, Mutz, I (2001). A prospective evaluation of community acquired gastroenteritis in paediatric practices: impact and disease burden of rotavirus infection. Arch. Dis. Child. 84: 393-397 [Abstract] [Full Text]