Sorted By Test Name - Mayo Medical Laboratories

ROP
84423
the forehead, spreading to the trunk. Measles virus is highly contagious; pregnant women,
immuno-compromised, and nutritionally deficient individuals are at particularly high risk for serious
complications of pneumonia and central nervous system involvement.(1-3) Since intensive immunization
began in the United States more than 2 decades ago, the incidence of measles infection has been reduced
from approximately 1/2 million cases annually in the 1960s to fewer than 500 cases in recent years.
Atypical measles can occur in patients who received killed measles virus vaccine and subsequently have
been infected with the wild type strain of the virus.(4) In addition, many individuals remain susceptible to
measles virus because of vaccine failure or nonimmunization. Screening for antibody to measles virus will
aid in identifying these nonimmune individuals.
Useful For: Determining acute-phase infection with rubeola (measles) virus As an aid in identifying
nonimmune individuals
Interpretation: IgG Positive: A positive result indicates previous exposure to rubeola and immunity.
IgG Negative: A negative result indicates the absence of prior exposure to rubeola or nonimmunity. IgG
Equivocal: An individual with an equivocal result should have a new serum specimen tested.
Reference Values:
Reported as negative, positive, or equivocal
A negative result indicates nonimmunity.
Clinical References: 1. Liebert UG: Measles virus infections of the central nervous system.
Intervirology 1997;40:176-184 2. Norrby E, Kristensson K: Measles virus in the brain. Brain Res Bull
1997;44:213-220 3. Sable CA, Hayden FG: Orthomyxoviral and paramyxoviral infections in transplant
patients. Infect Dis Clin North Am 1995;9:987-1003 4. Matsuzono Y, Narita M, Satake A, et al: Measles
encephalomyelitis in a patient with a history of vaccination. Acta Paediatr Jpn 1995;37:374-376 5.
Cremer, NE, Devlin VL, Riggs JL, Hagens SJ: Anomalous antibody responses in viral infection: specific
stimulation or polyclonal activation? J Clin Microbiol 1984;20:468-472 6. Gershon AA, Krugman S:
Measles virus. In Diagnostic Procedures for Viral, Rickettsial and Chlamydial Infections. 5th edition.
Edited by EH Lennette, NJ Schmidt. Washington, DC, American Public Health Association, Inc., 1979,
pp 665-693
Rubeola (Measles) Antibodies, IgG and IgM (Separate
Determinations), Serum
Clinical Information: Measles (rubeola) virus is a member of the family paramyxoviridae, which
also includes mumps, respiratory syncytial virus, and parainfluenza viruses. Clinical infection with
measles virus is characterized by a prodromal phase of high fever, cough, coryza, conjunctivitis, malaise,
and Koplik's spots on the buccal mucosa. An erythematous rash then develops behind the ears and over
the forehead, spreading to the trunk. Measles virus is highly contagious; pregnant women,
immunocompromised, and nutritionally deficient individuals are at particularly high risk for serious
complications of pneumonia and central nervous system involvement.(1-3) Since intensive immunization
began in the United States more than 2 decades ago, the incidence of measles infection has been reduced
from approximately 1/2 million cases annually in the 1960s to fewer than 500 cases in recent years.
Atypical measles can occur in patients who received killed measles virus vaccine and subsequently have
been infected with the wild type strain of the virus.(4) In addition, many individuals remain susceptible to
measles virus because of vaccine failure or nonimmunization. Screening for antibody to measles virus will
aid in identifying these nonimmune individuals.
Useful For: Determining acute-phase infection with rubeola (measles) virus As an aid in identifying
nonimmune individuals
Interpretation: Positive IgM results, with or without positive IgG results, indicate a recent infection
with measles virus. Positive IgG results coupled with a negative IgM result indicate previous exposure to
measles virus and immunity to this viral infection. Negative IgG and IgM results indicate the absence of
prior exposure to rubeola and nonimmunity. Equivocal results should be followed up with a new serum
specimen within 10 to 14 days.
Current as of January 4, 2013 7:15 pm CST 800-533-1710 or 507-266-5700 or MayoMedicalLaboratories.com Page 1551