Robert H. Yolken

Epidemiology of human rotavirus Types 1 and 2 as studied by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

To determine the relative importance of two known serotypes of human rotavirus, we developed an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay to differentiate serotype-specific rotavirus antigen and antibody. Using this technic, we studied the epidemiology of the two serotypes in acute gastroenteritis. Seventy-seven per cent of 414 rotavirus isolates were Type 2, and the remainder were Type 1. The serotype distribution was similar in specimens from children in Washington, D.C., and other parts of the world. Sero-epidemiologic studies revealed that most children living in the Washington, D.C., area acquired antibody to both types by the age of two years. An analysis of children who were reinfected indicated that sequential infections usually involved different serotypes and that illness caused by one serotype did not provide resistance to illness caused by the other serotype. These results suggest that, to be completely effective, a vaccine must provide resistance to both serotypes.

S‐IgA CHOLERA TOXIN AND ROTAVIRUS ANTIBODY IN HUMAN COLOSTRUM

Abstract. S‐IgA antibodies against cholera toxin and rotavirus were assayed in 43 colostral samples by means of an enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). All specimens contained specific S‐IgA antibodies against both antigens. Significant antibody titres to the antigens were demonstrated in almost all colostral samples.