Detection of Measles by PCR. Test should be considered in patients with maculopaular rash who have been in contact with virus or no history of immunisation.
Immunocompromised patients may not develop rash but present with pneumonitis, thus testing of a lower respiratory tract sample is advised. Test is not used for immune status -please see serology.
Tube
Oral (buccal) swabs Throat swab sample NPA or BAL.
ID
3651.
Availability
Mon – Sat. Samples for same day testing must arrive before 9:30am.
Additional Information
Although rare, neonatal measles has been associated with a risk of sub-acute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE) – for these cases send paired CSF and serum for intrathecal antibody testing.
Send to
Microbiology Department, Centre for Laboratory Medicine, St James’s University Hospital, Beckett Street, Leeds, LS9 7TF.
Collection Con
If delays occur, refrigerate at 2 to 8 degrees C.
IP Routine TAT
3 days.
GP Routine TAT
3 days.