Family Infections by Reo-Like Virus: Comparison of Antibody Titres by Complement Fixation and Immunoelectroosmophoresis

Abstract

The families of 31 index cases infected by reo-like virus were examined for gastroenteritis symptoms, virus excretion and serological evidence of infection. Excretion of virus was seen only among the children in the families, and it occurred together with gastroenteritis symptoms in 97.2 % of all cases. Virtually all infected children had a significant rise in titre in paired sera. Among the parents 25.0 % had a significant rise in titre associated with infections with gastroenteritis symptoms and 28.6 % with symptomfree infections. A comparison between complement fixation and immunoelectroosmophoresis for detection of antibody showed that the tests gave similar results.