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| Investigation | Measles | | Indications | Measles is a highly infectious viral illness transmitted by droplet spread. Almost all who are infected develop symptoms, which include a prodromal phase (2-4 days) of fever, conjunctivitis, coryza, and Koplik spots, followed by appearance of a characteristic rash, starting on day 3-7 and lasting 1 week.
The incubation period is about ten days with a further two to four days before the rash appears. However, it may be as long as 21 days and is prolonged in the immunosuppressed. Exposed individuals are highly infectious from the beginning of the prodromal period to four days after the appearance of the rash. | | Specimen Type | blood, nasopharyngeal swab, conjunctival secretions, urine, throat swab | | Request Form | Virology | | Transport Medium | As applicable | | Delivery Time | Within 12 hours unless refrigerated | | Storage Temp / Special conditions | Refrigerate at 2-4°C. | | Turn around time for final test | Approx 5 working days. | | Appropriate testing /re-testing interval | Measles IgM can now reliably be detected in saliva if collected between 1 and 6 weeks after the onset of symptoms. This sample can be tested for PCR if indicated.
Saliva samples are usually positive for measles specific IgM on the day the
rash appears. If negative, a second sample 2-6 weeks after onset is
recommended to document an IgM response and/or IgG seroconversion.
Blood Serology – Single raised IgM or a rise in IgG from specimen(s) collected 1-3 weeks after the onset of symptoms.
The sensitivity of serum IgM assay may be slightly higher in the early phase
than saliva, but serum is significantly less useful for PCR than saliva or other clinical samples | | Related tests | Mumps
| | HOW TO guides | None | | Information leaflets | None | | Publications | None | | Guidelines | None |
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