Mayo Clinic Laboratories | Microbiology and Infectious Disease Catalog
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Test ID: ROC Rubeola (Measles) Antibodies, IgG and IgM, Spinal Fluid
Reporting Name
Rubeola (Measles) Ab, IgG,IgM, CSF
Useful For
Diagnosing central nervous system rubeola (measles) virus infection and/or subacute sclerosing panencephalitis
Container/Tube: Sterile vial
Specimen Volume: 0.25 mL
Specimen Minimum Volume
Specimen Stability Information
CSF Refrigerated (preferred) 14 days
Frozen 14 days
IgG: <1:5
IgM: <1:10
Reference values apply to all ages.
Day(s) Performed
Test Classification
This test was developed, and its performance characteristics determined by Mayo Clinic in a manner consistent with CLIA requirements. This test has not been cleared or approved by the US Food and Drug Administration.
CPT Code Information
86765 x 2
LOINC Code Information
Test Order Name
Order LOINC Value
ROC Rubeola (Measles) Ab, IgG,IgM, CSF 90254-4
Result ID
Test Result Name
Result LOINC Value
5741 Rubeola (Measles) Ab, IgG 22501-1
5742 Rubeola (Measles) Ab, IgM 22505-2
Measles is a serious and highly contagious disease that can be a leading cause of death where nutrition and sanitation are limited. Onset begins with cough, fever, and lymphadenopathy approximately 2 weeks after exposure. Diagnosis is usually made when the rash appears. Koplik spots may be seen earlier on the buccal mucosa. Complications of measles may develop in children who appear to have normal immune functions.
Persistent infection of the central nervous system with measles virus is recognized to cause the disease subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE). SSPE is a rare, late complication of measles with an incidence of approximately 1 per 100,000 cases. SSPE is a progressive, usually fatal disease that occurs most often in children between the ages of 5 and 14 years. The onset is insidious and progressive. The incubation period from acute measles to onset of neurological symptoms varies from several months to many years. One of the most useful diagnostic tests involves the measurement of measles-specific antibodies in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of patients with SSPE. Levels of antibody are significantly elevated in the CSF of SSPE patients compared to those without the disease.
Detection of organism-specific antibodies in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) may suggest central nervous system infection. However, these results are unable to distinguish between intrathecal antibodies and serum antibodies introduced into the CSF at the time of lumbar puncture or from a breakdown in the blood-brain barrier. The results should be interpreted with other laboratory and clinical data prior to a diagnosis of central nervous system infection.
Patients with subacute sclerosing panencephalitis have serum antibody titers that are 10 to 100 times higher than those seen in late convalescent-phase sera. More importantly, there is pronounced local production of oligoclonal measles virus antibodies in the central nervous system.
1. Gascon GG: Subacute sclerosing panencephalitis. Semin Pediatr Neurol. 1996 Dec;3(4):260-269
2. Gershon AA: Measles virus (Rubeola). In: Bennett JE, Dolin R, Blaser MJ, eds. Mandell, Douglas, and Bennett's Principles and Practice of Infectious Diseases. 9th ed. Elsevier; 2020:2110-2116
Report Available
Method Name
Immunofluorescence Assay (IFA)
If not ordering electronically, complete, print, and send Infectious Disease Serology Test Request (T916) with the specimen.
Mayo Clinic Laboratories | Microbiology and Infectious Disease Catalog Additional Information:
mml-mbid-cnsinfections
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