Rapid diagnosis of measles using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for measles immunoglobulin M

An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for measles-specific immunoglobulin M (MIgM) was developed for use as a rapid diagnostic test for acute measles. A titer greater than or equal to 1:20 in both the acute and convalescent sera was present in 100% of patients with measles and was diagnostic of acute measles infection in children. Interference by rheumatoid factor (RF) was avoided by pretesting sera for RF and absorption with aggregated gamma globulin. Ion exchange separation of IgM and IgG should eliminate RF interference. The ELISA MIgM assay can easily be used in any laboratory for the serologic confirmation of measles infection.