Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for detection of enteric adenovirus 41

An enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for direct detection of enteric adenovirus 41 (Ad41) in stool specimens was developed and compared with an Ad40‐specific ELISA described previously [Johansson et al, 1980]. Rabbit antiserum to Ad41 was obtained by immunization with purified virions. To eliminate genus‐specific reactivity the serum was passed through an immunosorbent column containing soluble adenovirus components of members of subgenera A to E. The anti‐Ad41 serum still displayed high reactivity against Ad40 and had to be immunoabsorbed with soluble virus components of Ad40 to be rendered type‐specific. The absorbed antiserum was used in an indirect ELISA and proved to be specific for Ad41. No heterotypic reactivity against Ad40 or Ad1 through Ad35 was found. The Ad41‐specific ELISA proved to be of equal sensitivity to electron microscopy. The type‐specific ELISAs for Ad40 and Ad41 were evaluated by testing 76 stool specimens containing enteric adenoviruses originating from England and Scandinavia. All specimens could be typed‐41 (54%) as Ad40 and 35 (46%) as Ad41. These results were confirmed by DNA restriction site analysis. The type‐specific ELISA proved to be a specific, sensitive, and a rapid technique for detection of Ad41 and allowed clear‐cut discrimination from Ad40 in clinical specimens.