Measles Virus IgM

Description: 
Qualititative enzyme immuno-assay (EIA) for Measles Virus IgM antibodies.
- Blood test to diagnose measles by detection of measles IgM and IgG.
- Not reliable until 5 days following onset of suspected measles rash.
- Measles can be diagnosed from onset of rash by PCR of oral/throat swab.

This test is not UKAS accredited.
Clinical details: 
History of exposure or travel to endemic country
Prodrome
Koplik's spots
Erythematous maculopapular rash
Conjunctivitis
Coryza / runny nose
pneumonitis
encephalitis
otitis media
hepatitis
lymphopenia
Highly contagious
Infectious from 4d before until 4d after onset of rash
REMEMBER Infection Control
Related condition or disease: 
Contact tracing
Post exposure prophylaxis for vulnerable susceptible contacts
Immunocompromised host
Pregnancy
Synonyms or keywords: 
measles, rash illness, erythematous rash, maculopapular rash, prodrome Koplik's spots, conjunctivitis, coryza, pneumonitis, encephalitis, post-infectious, otitis media, hepatitis, lymphopenia
Department: 
Infection Sciences Department
Location: 
St Thomas' Hospital
Sample type and Volume required: 
2.5 – 5ml Yellow Top Serum Separation Tube (SST) Clotted Blood (for serum).
Call in advance: 
Notify Virology StR x83132 or on call via switchboard of any case of suspected measles.
Turnaround time: 
7 days
Criteria for acceptance / rejections of sample
Storage and transport: 
Place labelled sample in a sealed sample bag and send to Central Specimen Reception (CSR). To prevent sample haemolysis please store samples in refrigerator if a delay in sending samples to CSR is unavoidable.
Contacts:
Infection Sciences Department at St Thomas' Hospital
020 7188 8008
St Thomas' Hospital
North Wing - 5th Floor
Westminster Bridge Road
London SE1 7EH
Core opening hours: Monday-Friday 0900-1730


For clinical advice or interpretation of results, please contact the laboratory in the first instance.
Laboratory: 
Virology Laboratory at St Thomas'

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Last updated: 21/07/2021