title: A dot-blot hybridization procedure for the detection of astrovirus in stool samples.
abstract: We have developed a nucleic acid dot-blot hybridization test for the detection of astroviruses in stool samples. The test was not as sensitive as electron microscopy for the detection of low numbers of well preserved astrovirus particles, but was able to identify astroviruses in stools containing particles of indistinct morphology. In total, this procedure identified astroviruses in more samples than did electron microscopy, and the data indicate that the incidence of astroviruses may be substantially underestimated.
authors.affiliation: Division of Virology, School of Pathological Sciences, University of Newcastle upon Tyne.
authors.forename: M M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Willcocks
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Carter
authors.forename: J G
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: Silcock
authors.forename: C R
authors.initials: CR
authors.lastname: Madeley
mesh_terms: D015342:DNA Probes; D003967:Diarrhea / Q000382:microbiology*; D005243:Feces / Q000382:microbiology*; D006801:Humans; D001257:Mamastrovirus / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D009693:Nucleic Acid Hybridization; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D012329:RNA, Bacterial / Q000032:analysis*; D014777:Virus Diseases / Q000382:microbiology*
chemical_list: D015342:DNA Probes; D012329:RNA, Bacterial