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Table 5 Diagnostic tests for important viral pathogens that may cause persistent digestive disorders

From: Persistent digestive disorders in the tropics: causative infectious pathogens and reference diagnostic tests

Infectious pathogen

Diagnostic method

 

Electron microscopy

Cell culture

Immunology

Molecular biology (PCR)

Reference(s)

Viruses

Adenovirus

Low sensitivity (>106 viral particles/ml)

A549-, HEp-2-, HEK-cells

Antigen detection in faecal samples (ELISA, immunochromatography)

PCR

[90]

Astrovirus

Low sensitivity (>106 viral particles/ml)

CaCO-2-, LLC-MK2-cells

Antigen detection (ELISA)

RT-PCR

[91]

Bocavirus

-

-

-

PCR

[92]

Coronavirus

-

-

-

RT-PCR

[93]

Cytomegalovirus (CMV)

-

HFF-, MRC-5 cells

· pp65 antigen detection (immunofluorescence)

PCR

[91]

CMV-immediate early1-pp72-antigen in HFF

· (CMV-specific antibody seroconversion)

Enterovirus

-

MRC-5-, HEp-2-, Vero-cells

-

RT-PCR

[94]

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV-1/2)

-

HUT-78-, CEM-MOLT4-cells

· Immunoassay (e.g. 4th generation)

RT-PCR

[95, 96]

· Western Blot

Norovirus

Sensitivity 105-106 viral particles/ml

-

Antigen detection faecal samples (EIA)

RT-PCR

[91]

Parechovirus

-

-

-

RT-PCR

[97]

Rotavirus

Low sensitivity (>106 viral particles/ml)

MA104-, CaCO-2-cells

Antigen detection in faecal samples (ELISA), rapid tests (ELISA, immunochromatography)

RT-PCR

[91]

Sapovirus

-

-

-

RT-PCR

[91]

  1. The laboratory techniques are divided into different categories and recommended tests for each pathogen are highlighted.
  2. RT-PCR, reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction.