Measles (Rubeola) virus IgG antibody

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Detects antibodies to measles virus.

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Measles (Rubeola) Virus IgG Antibody Test - Comprehensive Guide

Why is it done?
- Test Purpose: Detects IgG antibodies against measles (rubeola) virus to determine immunity status, confirm past infection, or verify vaccination response
- Assessment of Immunity: Determines if individual has protective immunity from previous measles vaccination or natural infection
- Vaccination Response: Confirms adequate response to MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) vaccine, especially in healthcare workers, immunocompromised patients, or pre-travel screening
- Diagnostic Confirmation: Helps confirm acute or past measles infection when used in conjunction with IgM antibody testing
- Occupational Health Screening: Required for healthcare workers, laboratory personnel, and others with potential measles exposure to ensure immunity
- Pre-Travel Assessment: Verification of immunity before international travel to endemic regions
- Immunocompromised Patient Evaluation: Assessment in patients with HIV/AIDS, transplant recipients, or those on immunosuppressive therapy
- Typical Timing: 4 weeks after vaccination completion or any time to assess immunity status; during disease investigation for acute infection
Normal Range
- Reference Values: Negative: <0.9 IU/mL or reported as "Negative" or "No antibody detected"
- Positive: ≥1.0 IU/mL or reported as "Positive" or "Antibody detected"
- Borderline/Equivocal: 0.9-1.1 IU/mL (varies by laboratory; typically requires repeat testing)
- Unit of Measurement: IU/mL (International Units per milliliter) or reported as qualitative negative/positive
- Interpretation of Negative Result: No measles-specific IgG antibodies detected; indicates no immunity from vaccination or past infection; susceptible to measles
- Interpretation of Positive Result: IgG antibodies detected; indicates immunity from past infection or successful vaccination; protective against measles
- Laboratory Variation: Reference ranges may vary between laboratories and testing methods (ELISA, immunofluorescence, or chemiluminescence); always review results with laboratory-provided reference ranges
Interpretation
- Negative IgG Result (<0.9 IU/mL): Patient is susceptible to measles and lacks protective immunity; vulnerable to acute infection if exposed; may require MMR vaccination if previously unvaccinated or vaccine response failed
- Positive IgG Result (≥1.0 IU/mL): Patient has immunity from either: (1) previous measles infection (lifelong immunity), or (2) prior MMR vaccination; protected against measles infection; unlikely to develop clinical disease with exposure
- Acute Infection Diagnosis: When combined with IgM testing: positive IgG + negative IgM = past infection/immunity; positive IgG + positive IgM = acute or recent infection
- Seroconversion Pattern: Negative result followed by positive result confirms new infection or successful vaccine response; timing helps differentiate recent vs. past infection (IgG appears 2-3 weeks after symptom onset)
- Vaccination Response: Positive IgG 4+ weeks post-MMR vaccination indicates adequate immune response; negative result may indicate vaccine failure or need for revaccination
- Factors Affecting Interpretation: Immunosuppression (HIV, chemotherapy, steroids) may show false-negative results or delayed antibody production; pregnancy affects testing timing; age influences interpretation (newborns may have maternal antibodies)
- Borderline/Equivocal Results: Typically requires repeat testing 7-10 days later; rising titers indicate acute infection; stable or declining titers suggest past exposure
- Clinical Significance of Antibody Titers: Higher titers (>10 IU/mL) generally indicate more robust immunity; rising titers between paired sera suggest acute or recent infection; stable titers indicate past infection or established vaccine immunity
Associated Organs
- Primary Organ System: Immune system (humoral and cellular immunity); respiratory system; integumentary system (skin)
- Organs Involved in Measles Infection: Respiratory tract (lungs, bronchi, trachea); lymphoid tissue (lymph nodes, spleen); skin (rash manifestation); central nervous system (in complications)
- Conditions Associated with Abnormal (Negative) Results: Vaccine-preventable disease susceptibility; increased risk of measles pneumonia, encephalitis, and subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE); complications in immunocompromised patients
- Common Diseases Associated with Measles: Acute measles (rubeola); secondary bacterial pneumonia; otitis media; diarrhea; encephalitis; SSPE (progressive neurological disease occurring months to years after infection)
- Potential Complications if Unimmunized: Severe pneumonia; myocarditis; hepatitis; thrombocytopenia; immunosuppression with secondary infections; corneal scarring and blindness (vitamin A deficiency); neonatal complications if infection occurs during pregnancy
- High-Risk Groups for Severe Disease: Infants and young children; pregnant women; immunocompromised patients (HIV/AIDS, organ transplant recipients, chemotherapy patients); patients with vitamin A deficiency
- Associated Complications Preventable by Immunity: Positive IgG indicates protection against these complications; prevents acute measles infection, secondary infections, and rare neurological sequelae
Follow-up Tests
- Measles IgM Antibody Test: Recommended if acute measles infection is suspected; detects early immune response; positive IgM indicates recent or acute infection; performed concurrently with IgG for diagnostic confirmation
- Measles Virus PCR or Culture: For acute infection during early phase (first 3 days); detects viral RNA in respiratory secretions; required for laboratory-confirmed measles case reporting
- Repeat IgG Testing (Paired Sera): When borderline results obtained or acute infection suspected; samples collected 7-10 days apart; four-fold or greater rise in titer confirms acute infection
- Mumps and Rubella IgG Antibodies: Often ordered together as part of comprehensive MMR serology panel to assess full vaccine immunity; determines if additional mumps or rubella vaccination needed
- Varicella (Chickenpox) Serology: Often tested concurrently in immunity screening programs; complements MMR serology for comprehensive vaccine status assessment
- CBC (Complete Blood Count): Ordered during suspected acute measles infection; may show leukopenia, lymphopenia, or mild anemia; helps assess severity
- HIV Testing: Recommended for patients with negative measles IgG despite prior vaccination (possible immunodeficiency); particularly important in those with recurrent vaccine failures
- Liver Function Tests (LFTs): May be ordered during acute measles infection to assess for hepatitis; particularly relevant if complications suspected
- Revaccination Schedule: If negative results obtained, schedule MMR revaccination (2-dose series); retest 4-6 weeks after second dose to confirm immunity development
- Immunization Record Review: Verification of vaccination dates and documented immunity to correlate with serological results; important for occupational health tracking
Fasting Required?
- Fasting Requirement: NO - Fasting is NOT required for measles IgG antibody testing. This is a serology test that measures antibodies in blood and is not affected by food intake.
- Sample Collection: Standard blood draw via venipuncture; serum or plasma may be used depending on laboratory protocol; approximately 5-10 mL of blood required
- Pre-Test Preparation: No special preparation needed; patients may eat and drink normally; no restrictions on physical activity; routine medications do not need to be discontinued
- Medications - No Restrictions: Continue all regular medications; immunosuppressive medications, antibiotics, and antivirals do not need to be held; timing considerations only apply to live attenuated vaccines which may interfere with results if given within 30 days prior to testing
- Timing Considerations: If live vaccine testing planned, perform serology BEFORE live vaccine administration or wait 4+ weeks after vaccination; for post-vaccination testing, wait minimum 4 weeks after final MMR dose for accurate immunity assessment
- Collection Method & Storage: Serum separator tube (SST) or EDTA tube per laboratory specification; samples stable at room temperature for 24 hours or refrigerated (2-8°C) for up to 7 days; frozen samples at -20°C for extended storage
- Patient Instructions: No specific preparation required; wear loose-fitting sleeve to facilitate blood draw; arrive well-hydrated; notify phlebotomist of history of fainting or difficult veins; bring identification and insurance card

How our test process works!