RUBEOLA ANTIBODY, IGG

LAB657

RUBEOLA MEASLES (Rubeola) IgG Antibodies

7 mL Red Top Tube

2.0 mL

Refrigerate specimen

Set Up: Tuesday and Thursday; Report available: 1 day

Positive (Immune)

Rubeola (Hard measles, red measles and Morbilli) is an acute, highly contagious viral disease resulting from infection with a paramyxovirus (genus Morbillivirus). Eight to twelve days following infection, a prodromal phase, characterized by fever, conjunctivitis, coryza, and cough occurs. In many cases, the onset of the prodromal symptoms is followed ( 2-3 days) by the appearance of a specific enenthem (Kopliks spots) and a generalized maculopapular eruption (3  4 days after onset).  Leukopenia is common. In uncomplicated measles, the appearance of the rash is followed by a peak in temperature one to two days later, and a rapid defervescence on the third or fourth day of the rash.  The disease is more severe in infants and adults than in children.    Measles is one of the most highly communicable infectious disease which is spread by airborne droplets, direct contact with nasal or throat secretions or less commonly by articles freshly soiled with nose or throat secretions.  The incubation period is about 10 days, varying from 7 to 18 days from exposure to onset of fever, usually 14 days until rash appears; rarely longer or shorter.  IG, given for passive protection later than the third day of the incubation period, may extend the incubation to 21 days instead of preventing disease.    The period of communicability is slightly before the beginning of the prodromal period to 4 days after appearance of the rash. Communicability is minimal after the second day of rash.  The vaccine virus has not been shown to be communicable. All persons who have not had the disease or who have not been successfully immunized are susceptible.  Acquired immunity after disease is permanent.  Infants born to mothers who have had the disease are immune for approximately the first 6-9 months or more, depending on the amount of residual maternal antibody at the time of pregnancy.  Maternal antibody interferes with response to vaccine. Vaccination at age 15 months produces immunity in 95-98% of recipients.  It is not clear whether vaccine-induced immunity against clinical disease is lost over time; the majority of available evidence suggests that this does not occur.   Diagnosis of Mealses can be complicated by the appearance of an atypical form of Measles in persons who were immunized with an inactivated Measles vaccine between 1963 and 1967. In spite of the widespread vaccination program, many individuals remain susceptible to Measles as a result of primary vaccine failure or non-immunization. Serology is a useful tool for ascertaining the immune status of previously vaccinated individuals and detection of seroconversion in recently vaccinated individuals. In addition, Measles serology can be a valuable tool in the diagnosis of subacute sclerosing panencephalitis which may occur years after the original Measles infection.