Measles (Rubeola) Antibodies, IgG

Overview:

Aid in the determination of serological status to measles virus. A positive result generally indicates exposure to measles virus or previous vaccination. A positive result is considered adequate laboratory evidence of measles immunity. Persons with an equivocal serologic test result do not have adequate presumptive evidence of immunity and should be considered sesceptible unless they have other evidence of measles immunity.

Documented age-appropriate vaccination supersedes the results of subsequent serologic testing. If a person who has two documented doses of measles-containing vaccine is tested serologically and is determined to have negative or equivocal measles results, it is not recommended that they receive an additional dose of vaccine. These individuals should be considered to have presumptive evidence of immunity.

Measles virus (rubeola) is a member of the Paramyxoviidae family of viruses which includes the parainfluenza viruses, mumps, and respiratory syncytial virus. Measles is a highly contagious rash illness that is transmitted from person to person by direct contact with respiratory droplets generated through coughing and sneezing. Ninety percent of susceptible persons exposed to measles infected individuals will go on to develop measles. Although vaccination is highly effective against measles virus and the United States was declared free from endemic measles in 2000, travel-associated cases and spread among unvaccinated individuals continues to occur resulting in local measles epidemics.

Acceptable presumptive evidence of Measles Immunity:

Per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), acceptable presumptive evidence of immunity against measles virus includes at least one of the following:

- Documentation of age-appropriate vaccination against measles virus.

- Laboratory evidence of immunity (IgG in serum; equivocal results should be considered negative).

- Laboratory confirmation of measles.

- Birth before 1957.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Manual for the Surveillance of Vaccine-Preventable Diseases. CDC web site. https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/pubs/surv-manual/index.html. Accessed June 2019.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Measles (Rubeola): For Healthcare Professionals. CDC web site. https://www.cdc.gov/measles/hcp/. Accessed June 2019.

McLean HQ, Fiebelkorn AP, Temte JL, Wallace GS; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Prevention of measles, rubella, congenital rubella syndrome, and mumps, 2013: summary recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP). MMWR Recomm Rep. 2013 Jun 14;62(RR-04):1-34. PubMed 23760231