Detection of adenovirus and rotavirus antigens by an immuno-gold lateral flow test and ultrasound-enhanced latex agglutination assay

• Published in: Journal of medical microbiology Vol. 50; no. 2; p. 203
• Main Authors: Sobanski, M A, Stephens, J, Biagini, G A, Coakley, W T
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England 01-02-2001
• Subjects: Adenovirus; Adenovirus Infections, Human - diagnosis; Adenoviruses, Human - immunology; Adenoviruses, Human - isolation & purification; Antigens, Viral - analysis; Child; Gastroenteritis - diagnosis; Gastroenteritis - virology; Humans; Immunohistochemistry - methods; Latex Fixation Tests; Rotavirus; Rotavirus - immunology; Rotavirus - isolation & purification; Rotavirus Infections - diagnosis; Sensitivity and Specificity; Ultrasonics
• ISSN: 0022-2615
• DOI: 10.1099/0022-1317-50-2-203

Viral gastro-enteritis is a significant cause of infant morbidity and mortality in the developing world, with group A rotavirus causing an estimated 800 000 childhood deaths each year. Viruses responsible for gastro-enteritis include rotavirus, adenovirus and members of the Caliciviridae. Viral antigen detection is achieved through enzyme-linked immunosorbant assay, latex agglutination tests (LATs) and more recently, immuno-gold lateral flow tests (LFTs). The sensitivity of LFTs for the detection of rotavirus has been reported to be comparable to enzyme immunoassay and superior to LATs. The sensitivity of conventional test-card LATs is improved by concentration of the antibody-coated latex beads in a non-cavitating ultrasonic standing wave. It has been shown that rotaviral antigen detection can be enhanced with standing wave ultrasound. We compared the sensitivity of a commercial LFT (Adeno/rota Combi/1 Strip Quick Test, Coris Bioconcepts, Leeds, W. Yorks), two LAT kits (Rotascreen and Adenoscreen, Microgen Bioproducts, Surrey) and ultrasound-enhanced latex agglutination (using the test-card latex reagents) for detection of rotavirus and adenovirus antigens.