Diagnosis of rotavirus infection in a vaccinated population: Is a less sensitive immunochromatographic method more suitable for detecting wild-type rotavirus than real-time RT-PCR?

Abstract Background Diagnosis of wild-type rotavirus disease may be complicated by the detection of vaccine-derived virus which can be detected in stool samples following immunisation. We evaluate an immunochromatographic assay and real-time RT-PCR to determine which is more suitable for the detection of wild-type rotavirus. Objectives To compare the Ct values of wild-type rotavirus and Rotarix determined by real-time RT-PCR. To establish the Ct value corresponding to the limit of detection of the immunochromatographic Combi-Strip method (Coris, BioConcept). Study design Retrospective review of real-time RT-PCR Ct values was performed on 100 samples tested by a pan-rotavirus assay (n = 50 wild-type, n = 50 Rotarix). Secondly the limit of detection of the Combi-Strip assay was determined by testing; wild-type rotavirus (n = 33, Ct range 6.85–34.26) samples, Rotarix (n = 9, Ct range 20.86–34.26) samples and rotavirus negative (n = 21) samples. Results The median Ct of 50 wild-type rotavirus was Ct 12.43; range 6.11–32.66 compared with the median of 50 Rotarix, Ct 29.09; range 18.91–35.28, p= Conclusions We found the Ct value was significantly lower, and therefore the viral load higher, for wild-type rotavirus compared to detectable Rotarix. The Combi-Strip assay detects most wild-type infections; however, it lacks sensitivity to detect low-level wild-type rotavirus and, beneficially, is unlikely to detect Rotarix. It is not a more suitable method than real-time RT-PCR when a definitive rotavirus result is required.