Rotavirus antigen test

Rotavirus Antigen Test

A Rotavirus antigen test is a laboratory test used to detect the presence of proteins (antigens) that belong to the rotavirus family. The test helps diagnose the cause of gastroenteritis, an infection and inflammation of the stomach and intestine very common in infants and young children.

Preparations

Preparing for a rotavirus antigen test is simple and doesn’t require any special steps.

Procedure

The healthcare professional will take a specimen from the patient, depending on the location of the suspected infection. The most common specimens are a stool sample or vomitus. This sample will then be sent to the laboratory for analysis.

Types

There are various rotavirus antigen tests that are available. Some of the most commonly used ones include ELISA (Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay), qRT-PCR (Quantitative Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction), and Rapid Screening tests.

Risks

The rotavirus antigen test is a relatively risk-free procedure with no known risks associated with it. The only risk would be the risk of infection from the specimen collected.

Why?

Rotavirus antigen tests are used to diagnose the cause of gastroenteritis in infants and young children. This test helps diagnose rotavirus infection, the most common cause of severe gastroenteritis in children, as well as other causes of gastroenteritis, such as bacteria and parasites.

When?

A rotavirus antigen test is usually performed in a healthcare facility such as a doctor’s office or hospital when a child exhibits signs and symptoms of gastroenteritis, such as vomiting, diarrhea, and dehydration.

Other Uses

The rotavirus antigen test is also used in epidemiology, to monitor the prevalence and distribution of rotavirus infections in a community. It is also used for vaccine effectiveness studies.