Sorted By Test Name - Mayo Medical Laboratories

ROTA
8886
MARS
82701
Test Performed by: NMS Labs
3701 Welsh Road
P.O. Box 433A
Willow Grove, PA 19090-0437
Rotavirus Antigen, Feces
Clinical Information: Rotavirus infection produces a spectrum of responses that vary from
subclinical infection, to mild diarrhea, to a severe and occasionally fatal dehydrating illness. Rotavirus is
the major cause of nonbacterial gastroenteritis, especially in infants and very young children (6 months-2
years of age). Among children hospitalized for gastroenteritis, up to 50% of the patient specimens will
give positive rotavirus test results. The shedding of rotavirus in feces is fairly common among
asymptomatic neonates. Endemic rotaviral infection is more likely to be symptomatic in babies who
require special care than in healthy, full-term infants. Rotaviruses pose a special threat to individuals who
are immunosuppressed for bone marrow transplantation and to elderly persons, especially those living in
nursing homes or other confined quarters. In other adults, rotavirus infections usually are subclinical. In
temperate climates, rotaviral infections are seasonal; they peak in frequency during the winter months and
are uncommon during the summer. Rotaviral gastroenteritis has sometimes been called "winter vomiting
disease." The disease is characterized by diarrhea of acute onset and a duration of 4 to 8 days. Vomiting is
often the initial symptom. Some patients experience vomiting without diarrhea. Dehydration is the most
common reason for hospitalization of patients infected with rotavirus. Nosocomial transmission of
rotavirus is often a costly and difficult problem to resolve; therefore, the rapid and accurate detection of
rotavirus antigens may lead to better management of hospitalized patients.
Useful For: Investigation of patients with diarrhea, particularly infants, the elderly, and
immunocompromised patients Investigation of nosocomial diarrhea
Interpretation: Peak viral counts are reported to occur on days 3 to 5 after onset of symptoms. The
virus is eliminated from the infected individual within a few days following acute infection. Specimens
collected 8 days or more after onset of symptoms may not contain enough rotavirus antigen to produce a
positive reaction. A prolonged carrier state has been recognized with rotavirus infection. The rate of
positive test results may vary due to age, weather, seasonal factors, geographic location, and the general
health environment for the group under study. See Parasitic Investigation of Stool Specimens Algorithm
in Special Instructions for other diagnostic tests that may be of value in evaluating patients with diarrhea.
Reference Values:
Negative
Clinical References: Mitchell DK, Jiang X, Matson DO: Gastrointestinal infections. In Essentials of
Diagnostic Virology. Edited by GA Storch, Churchill Livingstone. 2000 pp 82-84
Rough Marsh Elder, IgE
Clinical Information: Clinical manifestations of immediate hypersensitivity (allergic) diseases are
caused by the release of proinflammatory mediators (histamine, leukotrienes, and prostaglandins) from
immunoglobulin E (IgE)-sensitized effector cells (mast cells and basophils) when cell-bound IgE
antibodies interact with allergen. In vitro serum testing for IgE antibodies provides an indication of the
immune response to allergen(s) that may be associated with allergic disease. The allergens chosen for
testing often depend upon the age of the patient, history of allergen exposure, season of the year, and
clinical manifestations. In individuals predisposed to develop allergic disease(s), the sequence of
sensitization and clinical manifestations proceed as follows: eczema and respiratory disease (rhinitis and
bronchospasm) in infants and children less than 5 years due to food sensitivity (milk, egg, soy, and wheat
proteins) followed by respiratory disease (rhinitis and asthma) in older children and adults due to
sensitivity to inhalant allergens (dust mite, mold, and pollen inhalants).
Useful For: Testing for IgE antibodies may be useful to establish the diagnosis of an allergic disease
and to define the allergens responsible for eliciting signs and symptoms. Testing also may be useful to
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