Diagnosis of measles with an IgM capture EIA: the optimal timing of specimen collection after rash onset.
The optimal timing for collection of a single serum specimen to diagnose measles by using a monoclonal antibody-capture EIA was evaluated. Results of testing paired serum samples from 166 measles cases with at least 1 IgM-positive specimen were analyzed. Among persons whose second samples were IgM-positive, the seropositivity rate for first samples was 77% when collected within 72 h and 100% when collected 4-11 days after rash onset. Among unvaccinated persons whose first samples were IgM-positive, the rate for IgM positivity of second specimens declined from 100% at 4 days to 94% at 4 weeks after rash onset, then declined further to 63% at 5 weeks. Some previously vaccinated persons became IgM-negative during the third week after rash onset. In general, a single serum specimen collected between 72 h and 4 weeks after rash onset can be used to diagnose most cases of measles with an IgM capture EIA.
Helfand
R F
RF
Department of Pediatrics, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA.
Heath
J L
JL
Anderson
L J
LJ
Maes
E F
EF
Guris
D
D
Bellini
W J
WJ
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000097:blood; D001800:Blood Specimen Collection; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D006801:Humans; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D007075:Immunoglobulin M / Q000097:blood*; D007223:Infant; D008457:Measles / Q000175:diagnosis*; D008458:Measles Vaccine / Q000276:immunology; D008459:Measles virus / Q000276:immunology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D013997:Time Factors; D014611:Vaccination
D000914:Antibodies, Viral; D007075:Immunoglobulin M; D008458:Measles Vaccine