Comparing electron microscopy and a competitive blocking ELISA in the detection of rotaviruses in porcine faeces.
Analysis of 476 faecal samples from diarrhoeic piglets was performed using electron microscopy (EM) and a competitive blocking (CB)-ELISA based on monoclonal antibodies to the VP6 protein of group A rotavirus. Rotavirus was detected by EM and/or CB-ELISA in 111 (23.3%) samples. Of these, all groups of rotavirus were identified in 83 (74.8%) samples by EM (EM+), while group A rotavirus was identified in 90 (81.1%) samples by CB-ELISA (ELISA+). However, only 62 (55.9%) of samples were positive using both detection methods. The finding of 28 (25.2%) EM-/CB-ELISA+ samples illustrated the high sensitivity of the CB-ELISA method. On PCR analysis, groups B and C rotavirus was found in 3 and 16 of 19 EM+/CB-ELISA- samples, respectively. Although the study illustrates the high sensitivity of a CB-ELISA in rotavirus detection, the findings highlight the need to use a range of diagnostic methods in detecting these viruses in clinical samples.
Rodák
Ladislav
L
Veterinary Research Institute, Hudcova 70, 621 00 Brno, Czech Republic. rodak@vri.cz
Smítalová
Radka
R
Šmíd
Bedřich
B
Nevoránková
Zora
Z
Valíček
Lubomír
L
Pšikal
Ivan
I
D000818:Animals; D003967:Diarrhea / Q000662:veterinary / Q000821:virology; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary*; D005243:Feces / Q000821:virology*; D008854:Microscopy, Electron / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary*; D012401:Rotavirus / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D012400:Rotavirus Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000662:veterinary* / Q000821:virology; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013552:Swine; D013553:Swine Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000821:virology*