Test Catalog

Test Id : ROM

Measles (Rubeola) Antibodies, IgM, Serum

Useful For
Suggests clinical disorders or settings where the test may be helpful

Determining acute-phase infection with rubeola (measles) virus using IgM antibody testing

 

Aiding in the identification of nonimmune individuals through IgM antibody testing

Method Name
A short description of the method used to perform the test

Immunofluorescence Assay (IFA)

NY State Available
Indicates the status of NY State approval and if the test is orderable for NY State clients.

Yes

Reporting Name
Lists a shorter or abbreviated version of the Published Name for a test

Measles (Rubeola) Ab, IgM, S

Aliases
Lists additional common names for a test, as an aid in searching

Measles Virus

Rubeola (Measles) Ab, IgM, S

Rubeola Antibodies, IgM Serum

Rubeola Antibody

Specimen Type
Describes the specimen type validated for testing

Serum

Specimen Required
Defines the optimal specimen required to perform the test and the preferred volume to complete testing

Collection Container/Tube:

Preferred: Serum gel

Acceptable: Red top

Submission Container/Tube: Plastic vial

Specimen Volume: 0.5 mL

Collection Instructions: Centrifuge and aliquot serum into a plastic vial.

Forms

If not ordering electronically, complete, print, and send Infectious Disease Serology Test Request (T916) with the specimen.

Specimen Minimum Volume
Defines the amount of sample necessary to provide a clinically relevant result as determined by the Testing Laboratory

0.2 mL

Reject Due To
Identifies specimen types and conditions that may cause the specimen to be rejected

Gross hemolysis Gross reject
Gross lipemia Gross reject
Heat-inactivated specimen Reject

Specimen Stability Information
Provides a description of the temperatures required to transport a specimen to the performing laboratory, alternate acceptable temperatures are also included

Specimen Type Temperature Time Special Container
Serum Refrigerated (preferred) 14 days
Frozen 14 days

Useful For
Suggests clinical disorders or settings where the test may be helpful

Determining acute-phase infection with rubeola (measles) virus using IgM antibody testing

 

Aiding in the identification of nonimmune individuals through IgM antibody testing

Clinical Information
Discusses physiology, pathophysiology, and general clinical aspects, as they relate to a laboratory test

The measles virus is a member of the Paramyxoviridae family of viruses, which include parainfluenza virus serotypes 1-4, mumps, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and metapneumovirus. The measles virus is one of the most highly contagious infectious diseases among unvaccinated individuals and is transmitted through direct contact with aerosolized droplets or other respiratory secretions from infected individuals. Measles has an incubation period of approximately 8 to 12 days, which is followed by a prodromal phase of high fever, cough, coryza, conjunctivitis, and malaise. Koplik spots may also be apparent on the buccal mucosa and can last for 12 to 72 hours.(1,2) Following this phase, a maculopapular, erythematous rash develops beginning behind the ears and on the forehead and spreading centrifugally to involve the trunk and extremities.

 

Immunocompromised individuals, pregnant women, and those with nutritional deficiencies, are particularly at risk for serious complications following measles infection, which include pneumonia and central nervous system involvement.(1,3)

 

Following implementation of the national measles vaccination program in 1963, the incidence of measles infection has fallen to below 0.5 cases per 1,000,000 population, and the virus is no longer considered endemic in the United States.(4) Measles outbreaks continue to occur in the United States, however, due to exposure of nonimmune individuals or those with waning immunity to infected travelers. The measles outbreak in 2011 throughout Western Europe emphasizes the persistence of the virus in the worldwide population and the continued need for national vaccination programs.(5)

 

The diagnosis of measles infection is often based on clinical presentation alone. The presence of IgM-class antibodies suggests recent infection but should not be used alone to diagnose measles infection. Screening for IgG-class antibodies to measles virus aids in identifying nonimmune individuals.

Reference Values
Describes reference intervals and additional information for interpretation of test results. May include intervals based on age and sex when appropriate. Intervals are Mayo-derived, unless otherwise designated. If an interpretive report is provided, the reference value field will state this.

Negative

Reference values apply to all ages.

Interpretation
Provides information to assist in interpretation of the test results

This assay tests only for IgM-class antibody. For both IgM and IgG antibody testing, see ROGM / Measles (Rubeola) Virus Antibody, IgM and IgG (Separate Determinations), Serum.

 

The presence of IgM-class antibodies, with or without the presence of IgG-class antibodies, to measles virus may support a clinical diagnosis of recent/acute phase infection with the virus. IgM results alone should not be used to diagnose measles virus infection.

 

The absence of IgM-class antibodies suggests lack of an acute phase infection with measles virus. However, serology may be negative for IgM-class antibodies in early disease, and results should be interpreted in the context of clinical findings.

 

Testing for IgM-class antibodies to measles should be limited to patients with clinically compatible disease.

 

The presence of detectable IgG-class antibodies, in the absence of IgM-class antibodies, indicates prior exposure to the measles virus through infection or immunization. These individuals are considered immune to measles infection.

 

The absence of detectable IgG-class antibodies suggests the lack of a specific immune response to immunization or no prior exposure to the measles virus. These individuals are considered nonimmune to measles virus infection.

Cautions
Discusses conditions that may cause diagnostic confusion, including improper specimen collection and handling, inappropriate test selection, and interfering substances

Grossly contaminated, hemolyzed, hyperlipemic, or icteric serum may yield unreliable results. Serum specimens must not be heat-inactivated prior to testing.

 

A serum specimen collected during the acute phase of infection when only low titers of IgM are present may yield negative results by this procedure.

 

Rare heterotypic responses with rubella virus and varicella virus have been reported from measles virus.(5)

Clinical Reference
Recommendations for in-depth reading of a clinical nature

1. Liebert UG: Measles virus infections of the central nervous system. Intervirology. 1997;40:176-184. doi: 10.1159/000150544

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: 1984. Anomalous antibody responses in viral infection: specific stimulation or polyclonal activation? J Clin Microbio 1984;20:468-472

6. Gershon AA, Krugman S: Measles virus. In: Lennette EH, Schmidt NJ, eds Diagnostic Procedures for Viral, Rickettsial and Chlamydial Infections. 5th ed. American Public Health Association, Inc., 1979;665-693

7. Theel ES, Sorenson M, Rahman C, Granger D, Vaughn A, Breeher L: Performance characteristics of a multiplex flow immunoassay for detection of IgG-Class antibodies to measles, mumps, rubella, and Varicella-Zoster viruses in presumptively immune health care workers. J Clin Microbiol. 2020 Mar 25;58(4):e00136-20. doi: 10.1128

8. National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, Division of Viral Diseases; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Measles (Rubeola). CDC; Updated November 5, 2020. Accessed October 25, 2022. Available at www.cdc.gov/measles/hcp/index.html

Method Description
Describes how the test is performed and provides a method-specific reference

The presence of IgM-class antibody to measles is determined by an indirect immunofluorescence assay. After removal of IgG by specific immunoglobulin antibody, the serum is incubated with measles antigen, which is adhered to a glass microscope slide. Antibodies, if present, will bind to the antigen forming stable antigen-antibody complexes. If no antibodies are present, the complexes will not be formed, and the serum components will be washed away. Fluorescein-labeled antihuman-IgM antibody is added to the reaction side and binds to IgM antibodies if present. This results in a positive reaction of bright apple-green fluorescence when viewed with a fluorescence microscope.(Package insert: Measles Virus Antigen Substrate Slide. AESKU.BION; 09/2019)

PDF Report
Indicates whether the report includes an additional document with charts, images or other enriched information

No

Day(s) Performed
Outlines the days the test is performed. This field reflects the day that the sample must be in the testing laboratory to begin the testing process and includes any specimen preparation and processing time before the test is performed. Some tests are listed as continuously performed, which means that assays are performed multiple times during the day.

Monday through Saturday

Report Available
The interval of time (receipt of sample at Mayo Clinic Laboratories to results available) taking into account standard setup days and weekends. The first day is the time that it typically takes for a result to be available. The last day is the time it might take, accounting for any necessary repeated testing.

Same day/1 to 3 days

Specimen Retention Time
Outlines the length of time after testing that a specimen is kept in the laboratory before it is discarded

14 days

Performing Laboratory Location
Indicates the location of the laboratory that performs the test

Rochester

Fees
Several factors determine the fee charged to perform a test. Contact your U.S. or International Regional Manager for information about establishing a fee schedule or to learn more about resources to optimize test selection.

  • Authorized users can sign in to Test Prices for detailed fee information.
  • Clients without access to Test Prices can contact Customer Service 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
  • Prospective clients should contact their account representative. For assistance, contact Customer Service.

Test Classification
Provides information regarding the medical device classification for laboratory test kits and reagents. Tests may be classified as cleared or approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and used per manufacturer instructions, or as products that do not undergo full FDA review and approval, and are then labeled as an Analyte Specific Reagent (ASR) product.

This test has been cleared, approved, or is exempt by the US Food and Drug Administration and is used per manufacturer's instructions. Performance characteristics were verified by Mayo Clinic in a manner consistent with CLIA requirements.

CPT Code Information
Provides guidance in determining the appropriate Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) code(s) information for each test or profile. The listed CPT codes reflect Mayo Clinic Laboratories interpretation of CPT coding requirements. It is the responsibility of each laboratory to determine correct CPT codes to use for billing.

CPT codes are provided by the performing laboratory.

86765

LOINC® Information
Provides guidance in determining the Logical Observation Identifiers Names and Codes (LOINC) values for the order and results codes of this test. LOINC values are provided by the performing laboratory.

Test Id Test Order Name Order LOINC Value
ROM Measles (Rubeola) Ab, IgM, S 35276-5
Result Id Test Result Name Result LOINC Value
Applies only to results expressed in units of measure originally reported by the performing laboratory. These values do not apply to results that are converted to other units of measure.
80979 Measles (Rubeola) Ab, IgM, S 35276-5

Test Setup Resources

Setup Files
Test setup information contains test file definition details to support order and result interfacing between Mayo Clinic Laboratories and your Laboratory Information System.

Excel | PHP Pdf | CMS Pdf

Sample Reports
Normal and Abnormal sample reports are provided as references for report appearance.

Normal Reports | Abnormal Reports

SI Sample Reports
International System (SI) of Unit reports are provided for a limited number of tests. These reports are intended for international account use and are only available through MayoLINK accounts that have been defined to receive them.

SI Normal Reports | SI Abnormal Reports