Comparative studies of the detection of rotavirus antigen with electron microscopy, countercurrent electrophoresis and enzyme immunoassay
Gruhn, I.; Günther, H.; Schmidt, J.; Otto, P.; Vogt, K.H.
Zeitschrift für die Gesamte Hygiene und ihre Grenzgebiete 32(4): 266-268
1986
ISSN/ISBN: 0049-8610 PMID: 3014765 Document Number: 277935
Three methods of showing evidence of the rotavirus antigen, namely the electron microscopy (ELMI), the counter-current electrophoresis (GE) and enzyme immunoassay (ELISA), are described and compared with regard to their sensitivity and specificity. Faecal samples [196] of calves suffering from diarrhoea were examined, of which a total of 117 samples responded rotavirus-positive. ELISA showed a sensitivity 20-fold higher than GE. Unless the faecal samples had been enriched additionally by ultracentrifugation, ELISA proved to be more sensitive than ELMI. The high specificity of ELISA could be proved by a blocking test and by testing other viral antigens from cell cultures.