Detection of enteroviruses from clinical specimens by spin amplification shell vial culture and monoclonal antibody assay.

Conventional tube cell culture was compared with a 72-h, spin-amplified shell vial indirect immunofluorescence assay for the detection of enterovirus from clinical specimens. The sensitivity for the shell vial assay after resolution of discrepant results were 93 and 100%, respectively. The shell vial assay detected 93% of the positive cultures within 72 h of incubation while conventional tube culture detected only 51% of the positive cultures within the same time interval. The data suggest that a spin-amplified shell vial indirect immunofluorescence assay may be useful for the detection of enterovirus from clinical specimens.