Rapid detection of adenovirus (type 40/41) and rotavirus from stool specimens of patient suspected of having viral gastroenteritis.

Rotavirus is an extremely common cause of pediatric gastroenteritis. The illness is most common in winter, is highly contagious, involves five to eight days of diarrhea, and is rarely fatal.¹ Patients should also be evaluated for possible bacterial gastroenteritis.

1. Christensen ML, Howard C. Viruses causing gastroenteritis. In: Balows A, Hausler WJ, et al, eds. Manual of Clinical Microbiology. 5th ed. Washington, DC: ASM Press;1991:950-958.