Detection of rotavirus by serological trapping on antibody-coated electron microscope grids

A serological trapping technique for detecting rotaviruses is described which involves coating electron microscope grids with protein A and specific rotavirus antiserum. The presence of a layer of antibodies on the grid increases the number of rotavirus particles that can be visualized. Thirty-five crude fecal extracts from infants suffering from diarrhea were examined by the serological trapping technique and by standard electron-microscopy. When the specimens were deposited on antibody-coated girds, 71% of them were found to contain virus particles, compared with 20% on standard uncoated grids. The method is simple and rapid and does away with the need to concentrate the specimens.