Assessment of RNA amplification by multiplex RT-PCR and IgM detection by indirect and capture ELISAs for the diagnosis of measles and rubella.
The aim of the study was to compare RNA amplification using multiplex RT-PCR and IgM detection by means of indirect and capture ELISAs for the diagnosis of measles and rubella. A total of 229 cases of maculopapular rash with serum and throat swab samples were included. Specific serological IgM to measles and rubella was determined by Enzygnost (Siemens) and Platelia (Bio-Rad). Both viruses were researched using multiplex RT-PCR performed on throat samples. Criteria for inclusion of measles or rubella cases were a positive RT-PCR result for one virus and negative for the other; and/or a positive IgM result for one virus by both ELISAs and negative RT-PCR for the other virus. A total of 74 cases were classified as measles and 54 as rubella. In measles, sensitivity and specificity were 93.2% and 100% for RT-PCR, 97.3% and 98.1% for Enzygnost, and 90.5% and 95.5% for Platelia. For rubella, these values were 42.6% and 100% for RT-PCR, 100% and 97.1% for Enzygnost, and 94.4% and 98.3% for Platelia. Enzygnost and Platelia are useful techniques for detecting IgM against measles and rubella. RNA amplification by RT-PCR was both sensitive and specific for the diagnosis of measles; however, for rubella, the sensitivity of this technique must be improved.
Laboratorio Regional de Salud Pública de la Comunidad de Madrid, Madrid, Spain. juan.sanz@salud.madrid.org
Juan Carlos
JC
Sanz
Mar
M
Mosquera
Belén
B
Ramos
Rosa
R
Ramírez
Fernando
F
de Ory
Juan Emilio
JE
Echevarria
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000097:blood*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007075:Immunoglobulin M / Q000097:blood*; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008457:Measles / Q000175:diagnosis*; D008459:Measles virus / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000235:genetics*; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods*; D012409:Rubella / Q000175:diagnosis*; D012412:Rubella virus / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology
D000914:Antibodies, Viral; D007075:Immunoglobulin M; D012367:RNA, Viral