Direct appraisal of latex agglutination testing, a convenient alternative to enzyme immunoassay for the detection of rotavirus in childhood gastroenteritis, by comparison of two enzyme immunoassays and two latex tests

Abstract

During Feb. and March 1984, 207 fecal samples from infants and children with gastroenteritis were tested for rotavirus with 4 techniques: 2 enzyme immunoassays (Rotazyme and Enzygnost-Rotavirus) and 2 latex agglutination tests (Rotalex and Slidex Rota-Kit). All stool samples were also tested for yeasts and bacterial pathogens. EM was used to investigate discrepant results. Of the samples, 47% were positive with Enzygnost-Rotavirus, 38% with Rotazyme, 37% with Slidex Rota-Kit, and 34% with Rotalex. No specimen was found positive by Rotazyme only or Slidex Rota-Kit only. Twelve samples which were positive with Enzygnost-Rotavirus only and 3 which were positive with Rotalex only were not confirmed as positive by EM. Both enzyme immunoassays gave 6% equivocal results; Slidex Rota-Kit gave significantly fewer equivocal results than did Rotalex: 2.9% vs. 9.7% (P < 0.01). The sensitivity and specificity of latex tests compared favorably with that of enzyme immunoassays. Latex agglutination tests can be performed by unskilled personnel and are rapid and relatively cheap. They appear to be very suitable for routine laboratory work and may prove useful for large-scale screening in developing countries.