Rotavirus infection laboratory findings

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Ahmed Elsaiey, MBBCH [2]

Rotavirus infection diagnosis is approachable through several diagnostic techniques. These techniques include electron microscopy, reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction and RNA electrophoresis. Stool examination for the virus is important to detect the extracted viruses. Also, ELISA and immunochromatographic assays can be used for antigen detection.

• Specific diagnosis of the disease is made by identification of the virus in the patient’s stool. The most widely used diagnostic laboratory method is antigen detection in the stool by an enzyme immunoassay (EIA) directed at an antigen common to all group A rotaviruses (i.e., those that are the principal cause of human disease).^[1]
• Other diagnostic techniques that can be used:
  • Electron microscopy
  • RNA electrophoresis
  • Reverse Transcriptase-Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR)
  • Tissue culture

• The virus is usually excreted in the stool in the first phases of the infection so, stool examination is required to detect the virus particles. Polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis can be used to detect the virus in the patients stool.

• Antigen detecting tests can be used to diagnose the rotavirus infection. It includes:
  • Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA)
  • Immunochromatographic assay