Measles

Brief Description

Measles is a respiratory disease caused by the measles virus. The disease is also called Rubeola. The virus normally grows in the cells that line the back of the throat and lungs. It is extremely contagious and causes fever, runny nose, cough, and a rash all over the body. The disease can also cause a miscarriage or premature birth in pregnant women. This assay is for diagnostic purpose and used to detect measles virus (MeV) RNA by RT-PCR in patients presenting signs and symptoms of measles disease.

Laboratory Unit

Molecular Biology

Methodology

RT-PCR

Specimen Collection

  • Throat swab:
    • Collect using cotton or dacron swabs and place in 3-4 ml of viral transport medium (VTM).
  • Nasopharyngeal (NP) swab:
    • Collect using cotton or dacron swabs and place in 3-4 ml of viral transport medium (VTM).
  • Nasopharyngeal aspirate:
    • Collect in a sterile container
  • Urine:
    • 10-20 mL of midstream clean-voided urine in a sterile container. Must accompany a throat or nasopharyngeal swab.

NOTE: (Urine, cataracts, lens aspirate, oral fluid, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), dry blood spots, and tissue samples will be referred to CDC)

Storage/Transport

  • Throat swab can be maintained at refrigerated temperature (2-8°C) during transit for no more than 48 hours after collection. 
  • Throat swab should be stored frozen (-70°C or colder) and shipped with dry ice after 48 hours of collection.  
  • Nasopharyngeal (NP) swab can be maintained at refrigerated temperature (2-8°C) during transit for no more than 48 hours after collection. 
  • Nasopharyngeal (NP) swab should be stored frozen (-70°C or colder) and shipped with dry ice after 48 hours of collection.
  • Nasopharyngeal aspirate swab can be maintained at refrigerated temperature (2-8°C) during transit for no more than 48 hours after collection. 
  • Nasopharyngeal aspirate swab should be stored frozen (-70°C or colder) and shipped with dry ice after 48 hours of collection.
  • Urine can be maintained at refrigerated temperature (2-8°C) during transit for no more than 48 hours after collection. 
  • Urine should be stored frozen (-70°C or colder) and shipped with dry ice after 48 hours of collection.
  • Download this pdf file. FRM-QA 4 Refrigeration Outfit Guide

Acceptable Specimen Type(s)

  • Throat swab
  • Nasopharyngeal (NP) swab
  • Nasopharyngeal aspirate
  • Urine

Test Request

Possible Results

  • Detected
  • Not detected
  • Unsatisfactory
  • Inconclusive

Reference Range

Not detected

Unacceptable Conditions

  • Missing testing requisition form
  • Missing minimum of 2 patient identifiers
  • Improper labeling
  • Specimen damaged, broken, or leaked in transit
  • Improper storage/transport of specimen
  • No specimen received (empty collection tube).
  • Wrong specimen type
  • Low volume

Interfering Substances

N/A

Result Reported

1-3 business days

Turnaround times may be affected by the scale of the event.

Fees

No charge

LOINC/Order Codes

48508-6 (Order code: 416000)