title: Investigation of optimal specimen type and sampling time for detection of measles virus RNA during a measles epidemic.
abstract: At various times postonset of rash, 74 patients positive for measles virus-specific immunoglobulin M provided samples for detection of measles virus RNA by a reverse transcriptase PCR. Of lymphocytes, urine, throat swab, and serum specimens, throat swab specimens were optimal for detection of measles virus RNA during the first 2 weeks after the rash.
authors.affiliation: Victorian Infectious Diseases Reference Laboratory, North Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. michaela.riddell@mh.org.au
authors.forename: M A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Riddell
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Chibo
authors.forename: H A
authors.initials: HA
authors.lastname: Kelly
authors.forename: M G
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Catton
authors.forename: C J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Birch
mesh_terms: D004196:Disease Outbreaks; D006801:Humans; D008457:Measles / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000821:virology; D008459:Measles virus / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D010614:Pharynx / Q000821:virology; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000032:analysis* / Q000097:blood; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D013048:Specimen Handling; D014556:Urine / Q000821:virology; D014739:Victoria / Q000453:epidemiology
chemical_list: D012367:RNA, Viral