Test Overview
Multiplex Flow Immunoassay
Support the diagnosis of measles or SSPE (sub-sclerosing pan ecephalitis) infection. The presence of IgG antibody generally indicates past exposure and immunity. The presence of IgM antibody or a fourfold or greater rise in IgG antibodies in paired sera indicates recent infection. Single IgG levels are not useful for supporting the diagnosis of an acute infection. Elevated levels in neonates should be followed up with studies to rule out the presence of maternal antibodies by demonstrating the absence of an IgM response.
Negative: No Rubeola IgG Antibody detected. Patient is presumed not to have previous exposure through infection or vaccination.
Equivocal result; obtain an additional sample for re-testing.
Positive: Rubeola IgG Antibody detected. Patient was exposed through infection or vaccination.
* Reference ranges may change over time. Please refer to the original patient report when evaluating results.
A single elevated serum sample cannot be considered diagnostic of SSPE (sub-sclerosing pan ecephalitis). While cases of SSPE may have responses of 10 - 100X those generally seen, the best indicator is the detection of elevated levels of IgG specific for rubeola antigens in CSF as compared to those found in serum, suggesting local IgG production in CSF. In persons with normal immune systems, postinfectious encephalitis has no accompanying enhanced antibody response. Increasing titers of serum antibodies to rubeola virus, as well as other viruses (rubella), have been associated with active chronic hepatitis, systemic lupus erythematosus and infectious mononucleosis. The performance characteristics of this test have not been established for CSF, neonates, infants or cord blood. This is a qualitative test; quantitation for comparison of acute and convalescent sera has not been validated by the manufacturer of the current test system. Result values from different methodologies or from different institutions cannot be compared. Timing of specimen collection for paired sera is critical. In some patients, antibody may rise to significant levels and fall again to lower or undetectable levels within a month. Other patients may not develop significant antibody levels.
Test Details
24 hours
- Measles Antibody IgG
- ROBGE
- Viral Antibody: Rubeola IgG
- RUBEOLA IGG ANTIBODY BY EIA
- MMR Vaccine Response
- ROBG
- Rubeola IgG Antibody
- ROBGN
- ROBGI
Specimen Requirements
Collect specimen in SST tube. Centrifuge, aliquot serum into a plastic vial and refrigerate up to 7 days. Post-vaccination samples should be collected 4-6 weeks from the date of vaccination.
Plasma, EDTA or heparinized, is acceptable.
Additional Information
Titers will not be reported. Numerical EIA results for single serum specimens do not reflect the magnitude of the measured result above the cut off and are not indicative of the total amount of antibody present. The magnitude of the reported IgG level cannot be correlated to an endpoint titer. Screening for Rubeola antibodies by serological methods will establish the immune status of individuals with regard to their resistance or susceptibility to measles infection. It is always helpful to support serological tests with virus isolation from respiratory specimens early in the disease before the rash, then from the cutaneous lesions, and later from the urine.