Rotavirus Detection Using Ultrasound Enhanced Latex Agglutination and Turbidimetry

Abstract Application of a non-cavitating ultrasonic standing wave to suspended micro-particles brings the particles into close approximation and has been used previously to enhance the performance of several diagnostic agglutination tests. the sensitivity of rotavirus detection by ultrasound enhanced latex agglutination was compared with conventional test-card agglutination. Application of ultrasound gave a 32-fold improvement in the sensitivity of detection of rotavirus antigen in buffer compared with the test card method A novel turbidimetric approach was used to measure agglutination occurring following the test-card procedure (in place of visual examination) and following exposure of commercial rotavirus latex reagents to a 4.5 MHz ultrasonic field (in place of microscopy). the sensitivity enhancement over the conventional method achievable through ultrasonic exposure was comparable whether agglutination measurements were made visually or turbidimetrically and demonstrates the potential for turbidimet...