| Test: | Measles Virus Antibody, IgM |
| Synonym: | Measles Virus Serology, Rubeola Antibody |
| Method: | CDC capture IgM, Commercial indirect IgG |
| Availability: | Monday - Friday. Turn-around time 2-7 days |
| Specimen: | Blood |
| Collection Device: | One 6.0 mL SST (Gold) tube or one 6.0 mL Clot (Red) tube |
| Volume: | 0.5 - 2.0 mL serum |
| Storage/Transport: | Separate serum ASAP and transfer to clean tube. Refrigerate at 2-8°C. Sender should contact the NPHL by email or phone before shipping. Ship specimen Monday -Thursday overnight to avoid weekend deliveries. Refrigerated specimen should be shipped on cold packs. Package and ship as Category B, Biological Substance, UN3373. See instructions and shipping address at http://nphl.org/. |
| Unacceptable: | Severely lipemic, icteric or hemolyzed samples; heat-activated serum; multiple freeze thaw cycles, specimens stored at <-40°C |
| Specimen Stability: | After separation from cells: ambient, < 8 hours; refrigerated (2-8°C), 72 hours; frozen (≥ -40°C), 1 year |
| Reference Interval: | NEGATIVE - No significant level of detectable IgM antibody to measles virus. EQUIVOCAL - Borderline levels of IgM antibody to measles virus. (Repeat testing in 10-14 days recommended). POSITIVE - IgM antibody to measles virus detected |
| Reportable Disease: | A positive result is reportable |
| Comments: | IgM positive may not occur until 4 days post-rash onset. While the presence of IgM antibodies suggests current or recent measles infection, low levels of IgM antibodies may occasionally persist for > 12 months post-infection or immunization. Serum specimens WILL NOT be accepted for serology testing without the simultaneous submission of a specimen appropriate for Measles PCR. Test performed at CDC. Pre-Approval needed from state or local health department. Send approval to NPHL@unmc.edu or call (402) 559-9444. |
| Revised: | 2/24/2015 |