Test Summary

Measles is a highly contagious, acute viral respiratory illness. The disease starts with high fever, malaise, cough, coryza (runny nose), conjunctivitis and Koplik spots, followed by a spreading maculopapular rash which appears about 14 days after exposure. Infants and children <5 years of age, adults older than 20, pregnant women and those who are immunocompromised are at risk for severe complications which include pneumonia or encephalitis. Measles outbreaks occur in unvaccinated or not properly vaccinated individuals. Testing for acute Measles infection is recommended by the CDC using Real-Time PCR from respiratory specimens (throat and nasopharyngeal swabs) as well as testing for Measles IgM in serum. IgM antibodies may be detected three days after rash onset whereas detection of Measles RNA by RT-PCR may be detected prior to antibody development, and as late as 10 to 14 days after rash onset. The optimal time for collecting acute blood for serology is at least 72 hours after rash onset. Serum collected before then may be falsely negative.

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