Rubeola (Measles) Virus Antibodies, IgG, Serum

Measles virus, a member of the Morbillivirus genus of the Paramyxoviridae family, is an enveloped, negative- sense, single- stranded RNA virus. Measles virus only infects humans and primates and is transmitted
via direct person-to-person contact and causes a symptomatic viral prodrome (early nonspecific symptoms) culminating in the hallmark of maculopapular measles rash. This rash is preceded by systemic viraemia and lymphopenia, and is followed by a transient suppression of T-lymphocyte responses that lasts several weeks, leaving the infected individual susceptible to other infections. Measles is typically a selflimiting disease; however, individuals who are immuno-compromised, malnourished or at the extremes of age are at increased risk for severe measles. Measles virus is one of the most contagious pathogens known to humans and large measles outbreaks, facilitated by overcrowding in poor communities, continue to occur even in countries that have achieved high vaccine coverage.

Natural measles virus infection generates long-lasting immunity that includes both measles virus-specific antibody and memory T-lymphocyte responses. Despite reaching global measles vaccination coverage of >80% of individuals, measles virus remains the fifth leading cause of death and the most common cause of vaccine-preventable death in children under 5 years of age. Antibodies are important in preventing measles virus infection, as measles virus-specific neutralizing antibody titres at the time of exposure to virus correlate with protection from disease. The detection of measles-specific IgG antibodies in the absence of symptoms is suggestive of past exposure or vaccination.

1 ml Serum Stability: 7 Days at 2-8 °C

Negative: < 20 U/ml Equivocal : 20-25 U/ml Positive : > 25 U/ml