Measles (Morbilli virus) IgM

• The material for testing is blood.
• The patient does not need to fast.

Measles antibody testing is a reliable marker for detecting measles virus infection. The presence of IgM antibodies indicates a recent infection with the virus, while IgG antibodies are found in patients who have had measles and after vaccination.
The measles virus causes an acute, febrile illness that occurs primarily in childhood and is highly contagious. Measles is now becoming less common due to the use of vaccines.
People infected with measles virus exhibit a wide range of clinical symptoms, ranging from a mild, self-limiting infection to death. Measles virus infections are characterized by an incubation period of up to 10 days and flu-like symptoms with fever, malaise, upper respiratory tract infection, cough, congestion, and conjunctivitis. Shortly thereafter, a typical rash appears, first around the ears, then on the forehead and face, and then on the rest of the body. Measles infection can lead to complications such as secondary bacterial pneumonia, otitis media (approximately 1%), encephalitis (approximately 1%), myocarditis, miscarriages, and a condition called subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE). Furthermore, persistent infection of the ear canal is a factor in the etiology of otosclerosis. SSPE is a progressive, usually fatal brain injury caused by chronic measles virus infection. It appears 7 to 10 years after infection and leads to death within 3 years of the onset of symptoms. Patients experience behavioral changes, cognitive decline, and vision problems. Advanced neurological symptoms may also develop, such as severe spasms and, ultimately, severe physical and mental weakness leading to death. Measles virus antibodies are present in the serum of almost all patients during and after infection. IgM antibodies appear immediately after the onset of symptoms, and their presence can be confirmed by ELISA or indirect immunofluorescence testing (IIFT). In 50% of patients, IgM antibodies appear within three days, and in over 90% within 10 days—after the appearance of the rash. The measles virus ELISA (IgM) test is a faster and more sensitive test for diagnosing measles than other available tests. IgG and IgM anti-measles virus antibodies are reliable markers for detecting measles virus infection.
Due to the serious complications that can occur after measles, vaccination is recommended. It is a mandatory (free) vaccination administered in Poland at ages 13-14 months and 10 years. Vaccination efficacy after two doses is 98% and lasts for life. Neutralizing activity and antibody persistence develop after vaccination, usually lasting a lifetime.

The level of antibodies in the serum of people vaccinated against the measles virus is 8 to 10 times lower than in people who have had measles. Passive immunization, containing specific, concentrated immunoglobulins, is usually administered to seronegative individuals with reduced immune system activity (patients with treated cancer or post-transplant patients) as well as to seronegative pregnant women who have had contact with the virus.
NOTE:
Pursuant to the Regulation of the Minister of Health of June 26, 2020 (Journal of Laws of 2020, item 1118), a positive test result is subject to mandatory reporting by the laboratory performing the test to the District Sanitary and Epidemiological Station.

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