Comparison of immunofluorescence and enzyme immunoassay for detection of measles-specific immunoglobulin M antibody.
During a measles outbreak, 283 serum specimens from 221 suspected cases of measles were tested by immunofluorescence and enzyme immunoassay for the presence of measles-specific immunoglobulin M (IgM) antibodies by using commercially available reagents. There was 97% agreement between the two assays; thus, the choice of the method for diagnostic testing is a matter of convenience and experience. In all 62 cases of measles from which a single blood sample was available, measles IgM-specific antibodies were detectable by both methods. Fifty percent of the 62 cases were positive within 3 days after onset of the rash. This increased to 91% 10 days after onset of the rash.
Rossier
E
E
Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.
Miller
H
H
McCulloch
B
B
Sullivan
L
L
Ward
K
K
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000097:blood*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D006801:Humans; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D007075:Immunoglobulin M / Q000032:analysis*; D007223:Infant; D008457:Measles / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000276:immunology; D008459:Measles virus / Q000276:immunology*; D008875:Middle Aged
D000914:Antibodies, Viral; D007075:Immunoglobulin M