Rubella IgM

Description: 
Qualitative fluorescent antibody capture immuno-assay (ELFA) for Rubella IgM antibodies (Vidas RUB IgM, Biomerieux). This assay should be used for diagnosis of acute primary rubella and congenital rubella infection. This assay is normally carried out in conjunction with a rubella specific IgG assay.
Clinical details: 
Rubella may produce a maculopapular rash and arthralgia/arthritis and thrombocytopenia may also occur. Individuals are normally infectious from about 7 days before to 10 days after the onset of rash. Rubella specific IgM may be detected at the onset of rash or several days after. Rubella specific IgG is detected approximately 14 days after contact. In congenital rubella infection rubella specific IgM can be detected during the first three months of life.
Related condition or disease: 
Rubella
Reference range: 

Not applicable. Results issued as detected or not detected

Synonyms or keywords: 
German measles, rash, congenital infection
Units: 
Not applicable
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).
Turnaround time: 
7 days
Special sample instructions: 

Please provide full clinical details with the sample.

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: 10/07/2018