Serum

Red top tube

Preferred Minimum: 0.5 mL serum
Absolute Minimum: 0.1 mL serum

Icteric, contaminated, heat-inactivated, or hemolyzed specimens.

24 hours upon receipt at reference laboratory

0.89 IV or less: Negative - No significant level of detectable measles (rubeola) IgG antibody.

0.90-1.09 IV: Equivocal - Repeat testing in 10-14 days may be helpful.

1.10 IV or greater: Positive - IgG antibody to measles (rubeola) detected, which may indicate a current or past exposure/immunization to measles (rubeola). Positive IgG antibody levels in the absence of current clinical symptoms may indicate immunity.

The best evidence for current infection is a significant change on two appropriately timed specimens, where both tests are done in the same laboratory at the same time.

Acute and convalescent specimens must be labeled as such; parallel testing is preferred and convalescent specimens must be received within 30 days from receipt of the acute specimens. Please mark specimen plainly as "acute" or "convalescent."

Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay

Label transport tube with two patient identifiers, date and time of collection.
Aliquot serum into labeled container and cap.
Centrifuge at 3000 RPM for 10 minutes.
Centrifuge within one hour of draw time.

Refrigerate serum 2-8°C.

Place requisition into outside pocket of bag.
Place specimen into zip-lock type bag, seal bag.
Use refrigerated coolant packs.

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