Rapid screening test for the diagnosis of rotavirus infection.

The early diagnosis of human rotavirus infection is essential for effective patient management and infection control. We report here a rapid, easy-to-perform, and inexpensive test for rotavirus detection. The viral RNA is extracted directly from the stools and electrophoresed on 1% agarose gels. Currently available immunoassays for routine diagnostic purposes are directed at the common group A-specific antigen. As reports become available on human gastroenteritis caused by the atypical or novel rotaviruses, this technique presents an added advantage in that it can detect both group A and non-group A rotaviruses.