title: The utility of latex agglutination assays in the diagnosis of pediatric viral gastroenteritis.
abstract: To design a rapid and efficient protocol for processing pediatric stool specimens, the authors used 434 specimens to evaluate two commercial latex assays to detect rotavirus (Meritec-Rotavirus and Rotalex) and one to detect adenovirus (Adenolex). Rotavirus latex assay results were compared with electron microscopic examination and adenovirus latex assay results with virus culture. Ninety-two specimens (21%) were positive for rotavirus and 28 (6.5%) for adenovirus; 5 (1%) had both viruses. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive values, and negative predictive values for the three assays were, respectively, as follows: Meritec-Rotavirus (97%, 99%, 97%, 99%), Rotalex (91%, 99%, 94%, 98%), and Adenolex (46%, 99%, 77%, 97%). For primary rotavirus screening, the Meritec-Rotavirus and Rotalex latex assays offer a good alternative to electron microscopic examination. For primary adenovirus screening, the low sensitivity of the Adenolex latex assay precludes its use as a routine screen. Its excellent specificity, however, makes it a useful tool for culture confirmation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada.
authors.forename: E E
authors.initials: EE
authors.lastname: Thomas
authors.forename: D L
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Roscoe
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Book
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Bone
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Browne
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Mah
mesh_terms: D000256:Adenoviridae / Q000302:isolation & purification; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D016527:Drug Costs; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D005759:Gastroenteritis / Q000382:microbiology*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007841:Latex Fixation Tests; D011933:Reagent Kits, Diagnostic / Q000191:economics; D012401:Rotavirus / Q000302:isolation & purification; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D014777:Virus Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis*
chemical_list: D011933:Reagent Kits, Diagnostic