THE UTILITY OF LATEX AGGLUTINATION ASSAYS IN THE DIAGNOSIS OF PEDIATRIC VIRAL GASTROENTERITIS

To design a rapid and efficient protocol for processing pediatric stoo l specimens, the authors used 434 specimens to evaluate two commercial latex assays to detect rotavirus (Meritec-Rotavirus(TM) and Rotalex(T M)) and one to detect adenovirus (Adenolex(TM)). Rotavirus latex assay results were compared with electron microscopic examination and adeno virus latex assay results with virus culture. Ninety-two specimens (21 %) were positive for rotavirus and 28 (6.5%) for adenovirus; 5 (1%) ha d both viruses. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive valu es, and negative predictive values for the three assays were, respecti vely, as follows: Meritec-Rotavirus (97%, 99%, 97%, 99%), Rotalex (91% , 99%, 94%, 98%), and Adenolex (46%, 99%, 77%, 97%). For primary rotav irus screening, the Meritec-Rotavirus and Rotalex latex assays offer a good alternative to electron microscopic examination. For primary ade novirus screening, the low sensitivity of the Adenolex latex assay pre cludes its use as a routine screen. Its excellent specificity, however , makes it a useful tool for culture confirmation.