title: A rotavirus staphylococcal co-agglutination test.
abstract: A simple and rapid staphylococcal co-agglutination (SA) test for detection of rotavirus in human faecal specimens is described. A suspension of protein A-containing staphylococci coated with a rabbit hyperimmune serum against the rotavirus strain of calf diarrhoeae virus was used as reagent. Before the SA test, the faecal specimens were absorbed with a suspension of uncoated staphylococci. 34 of 36 rotavirus immune electron microscopy (IEM) positive samples showed a positive SA test, whereas none of 41 IEM negative specimens agglutinated the staphylococcal reagent. The SA test was as sensitive as an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (Rotazyme) and in our hands more sensitive than a latex agglutination test (Rotalex).
mesh_terms: D000914:Antibodies, Viral; D003967:Diarrhea / Q000382:microbiology*; D005243:Feces / Q000382:microbiology; D006801:Humans; D007158:Immunologic Techniques; D012400:Rotavirus Infections / Q000175:diagnosis*; D013210:Staphylococcus / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D000914:Antibodies, Viral