Indirect immunoenzyme assay to test IgG and/or IgM antibodies against measles in human serum. 96 tests.
INTRODUCTION:
Measles is one of the most common viral diseases in infants around the world. Although vaccination programs have achieved temporary interruptions of virus spread epidemic outbreaks have been reported in vaccinated populations. The partial success of the measles vaccine has made diagnosis of this disease more difficult and more important. The most severe complications are acute measles postinfection encephalitis and subacute sclerosing panencephalitis. The maximun levels of antibodies are reached 2 weeks after the onset of the rash or 4 weeks after vaccination; IgG titers decline two-fold over the next 6 months and them remain quite stable. Sample must be collected during the first 3 weeks after the onset of the disease for IgM determinations. The IgM titer makes up about 50% of the total initial response, but it peaks at about 10 days after the onset of the rash, declines more rapidly , and becomes undetectable at 30 to 60 days. In subacute sclerosing panencephalitis there is no IgM response and the levels of immunoglobulins are higher in CSF than in sera.
