Rotavirus, Direct Detection Immunoassay

Rotavirus, Direct Detection Immunoassay

Number
	006866
CPT
	87425
Related Information
	Adenovirus (Type 40/41), Direct Detection EIA Adenovirus (Type 40/41)/Rotavirus, Direct Detection EIA
Specimen
	Stool
Volume
	2 mL liquid stool or 1 g semiformed stool
Container
	Empty stool transport vial or screw-cap container, sterile no additives
Collection
	Collect as soon as possible after onset of disease, preferably 3-5 days after onset. Collection from diapered children can be facilitated by using a disposable diaper “inside out” or by using a “Saran wrap” diaper to capture the next stool specimen.
Storage Instructions
	Refrigerate immediately after collection.
Causes for Rejection
	Specimen received in grossly leaking transport container; dry specimen; specimen submitted in fixative or additive; bacterial swab specimen; diapers; unlabeled specimen or name discrepancy between specimen and request label; specimen transported at room temperature; other inappropriate specimen transport devices; specimen received after prolonged delay (usually more than 72 hours); specimen in transport media or preservative
Reference Interval
	Negative
Use
	Detect rotavirus in stools of patients suspected of having viral gastroenteritis
Limitations
	Quality of specimens cannot be evaluated, and specimens are collected randomly.
Methodology
	Immunoassay
Additional Information
	Rotavirus is an extremely common cause of pediatric gastroenteritis. The illness is most common in winter, is highly contagious, involves 5-8 days of diarrhea, and is rarely fatal.¹ Patients should also be evaluated for possible bacterial gastroenteritis. Outbreaks are seen among children in daycare centers.
Footnotes
	Christensen ML and Howard C, “Viruses Causing Gastroenteritis,” Manual of Clinical Microbiology, 5th ed, Balows A, Hausler WJ, et al, eds, Washington, DC: ASM Press, 1991, 950-8
References
	Christensen ML, “Human Viral Gastroenteritis,” Clin Microbiol Rev, 1989, 2(1):51-89. Gray LD, “Novel Viruses Associated With Gastroenteritis,” Clin Microbiol Newslet, 1991, 13(18):137-44.