Which specimen is appropriate for detecting rotavirus?

Which specimen is appropriate for detecting rotavirus?

• A. CSF
• B. sputum
• C. stool
• D. urine

Answer: (C)

Rotavirus primarily causes gastroenteritis and is shed in high amounts in feces during acute illness, so stool is the specimen of choice for detection. Testing stool with antigen assays or molecular methods (like RT-PCR) provides reliable and rapid confirmation of infection. Other specimens don’t reflect rotavirus infection: cerebrospinal fluid is used for CNS infections and rotavirus isn’t a CNS pathogen; sputum targets respiratory viruses; urine isn’t a useful specimen for detecting rotavirus.

Rotavirus primarily causes gastroenteritis and is shed in high amounts in feces during acute illness, so stool is the specimen of choice for detection. Testing stool with antigen assays or molecular methods (like RT-PCR) provides reliable and rapid confirmation of infection. Other specimens don’t reflect rotavirus infection: cerebrospinal fluid is used for CNS infections and rotavirus isn’t a CNS pathogen; sputum targets respiratory viruses; urine isn’t a useful specimen for detecting rotavirus.