The 30- to 54-nm rotavirus-like particles in gastroenteritis: Incidence and antigenic relationship to rotavirus

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Abstract
The 30‐ to 54‐nm rotavirus‐like particles were observed in the stool specimens of 17 children with gastroenteritis. These small rotavirus‐like particles were shown to be antigenically related to the commonly described 68‐nm rotavirus using the techniques of immune electron microscopy and ELISA (enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay). Four specimens containing the small rotavirus‐like particles were shown to contain an antigen of a common human rotavirus serotype (type 2). The finding of small rotavirus‐like particles of different diameters sharing a common antigen with rotavirus type 2 cautions against the naming of new candidate viruses based on morphology alone. In addition, the shedding of pure populations of single‐shelled rotaviruses, herein described, could be an unusual phenomenon which may occur only sporadically. The relationship of the smaller rotavirus‐like particles to rotavirus morphogenesis is discussed.