Comparison of multiplex real time PCR with ELISA for diagnosis of viral Gastroenteritis in children of Al-Muthana province

Abstract

Simultaneous detection of Gastroenteritis viruses in children is important toprevent outbreak and control infection. In this study, evaluated the multiplex realtime PCR technique with ELISA test fordetecting three enteric viruses (Rotavirus,Astrovirus, and Norovirus) from 335 stool specimens collected from children ofAl-Muthana province. The overall rates of incidences were 79(23.6%), 39(11.6%)and 8(2.4%) respectively by using multiplex PCR technique and 20.3, 10.7, and2.4% overall rate detection with ELISA, the sensitivity and specificity diagnosticvalues for PCR test were higher than of ELIAS test.