Use of immunofluorescence to identify measles virus infections

Monoclonal antibody to measles virus was used successfully to identify measles virus antigen directly in clinical specimens, as well as in cell cultures. Pooled nasopharyngeal-throat swab specimens had a higher yield than throat swabs or urine samples for virus detection. Use of A549 cell cultures in the spin amplification vial assay proved to be highly efficient, allowing virus recognition within 1 to 2 days of inoculation. A combination of appropriately collected specimens, which includes a nasopharyngeal-throat swab, direct antigen detection with monoclonal antibody to measles in an indirect immunofluorescence system, and the spin amplification vial assay using A549 cells provides a sensitive and rapid system for isolation and/or identification of measles virus infections.