The effect of centrifugation on the rapid detection of adenovirus in shell vials.

Monoclonal antibody, specific for the adenovirus group-reactive hexon antigen, was used for the detection of this agent by immunofluorescence 24 and 48 hours after inoculation of HEp-2 cell monolayers in 1-dram shell vials after low-speed centrifugation (700 X g, 30 minutes). Of 31 adenovirus isolates, 16 (sensitivity, 52%) and 30 (sensitivity, 97%) were detected after incubation for 24 hours and 48 hours, respectively. All adenovirus strains were detected in conventional tube cell cultures but required an average of four days incubation. The shell vial assay is rapid, sensitive, and specific and can be easily implemented in laboratories with cell culture experience.