Aid in the diagnosis of acute measles infection.
UCSF Measles Testing Guidance (link)
If you suspect measles, place the patient on Airborne Isolation and call UCSF Infection Control immediately.
Patient's physician must discuss the case and receive approval for submission of specimens from the SF Department of Public Health Communicable Disease Control Unit (628) 217-6100
California Department of Public Health
Viral and Rickettsial Disease Laboratory
Mon-Fri
Semi-Quantitative Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA)
5 days
Gold or red top
7-10 ml of capillary blood (finger or heel stick) can be used for pediatric patients, if necessary; at least 3-5 capillary tubes are needed.
After separation from cells: Refrigerated: 24 hours; Frozen: 1 year (avoid repeated freeze/thaw cycles)
Bacterially contaminated, heat-inactivated, hemolyzed, icteric, lipemic, or turbid specimens.
California Department of Public Health
Viral and Rickettsial Disease Laboratory
Specimen is sent out to SFDPH by Microbiology.
Order the Measles IgM within the “Measles (Rubeola) Profile – Suspect Cases” order panel.
Separate serum from cells ASAP or within 2 hours of collection. Transfer at least 1 mL serum to Standard Transport Tube. Parallel testing is preferred and convalescent specimens must be received within 30 days from receipt of the acute specimens. Mark specimens plainly as "acute" or "convalescent."
Bacterially contaminated, heat-inactivated, hemolyzed, icteric, lipemic, or turbid specimens.
After separation from cells: Refrigerated: 24 hours; Frozen: 1 year (avoid repeated freeze/thaw cycles)
If you suspect measles, place the patient on Airborne Isolation and call UCSF Infection Control immediately.
Patient's physician must discuss the case and receive approval for submission of specimens from the SF Department of Public Health Communicable Disease Control Unit (628) 217-6100
Aid in the diagnosis of acute measles infection.
UCSF Measles Testing Guidance (link)
California Department of Public Health
Viral and Rickettsial Disease Laboratory
Mon-Fri
Semi-Quantitative Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA)
Gold or red top
7-10 ml of capillary blood (finger or heel stick) can be used for pediatric patients, if necessary; at least 3-5 capillary tubes are needed.
Bacterially contaminated, heat-inactivated, hemolyzed, icteric, lipemic, or turbid specimens.
Specimen is sent out to SFDPH by Microbiology.
Order the Measles IgM within the “Measles (Rubeola) Profile – Suspect Cases” order panel.
Separate serum from cells ASAP or within 2 hours of collection. Transfer at least 1 mL serum to Standard Transport Tube. Parallel testing is preferred and convalescent specimens must be received within 30 days from receipt of the acute specimens. Mark specimens plainly as "acute" or "convalescent."
After separation from cells: Refrigerated: 24 hours; Frozen: 1 year (avoid repeated freeze/thaw cycles)
5 days
| Ordering |
Aid in the diagnosis of acute measles infection.
UCSF Measles Testing Guidance (link)
If you suspect measles, place the patient on Airborne Isolation and call UCSF Infection Control immediately.
Patient's physician must discuss the case and receive approval for submission of specimens from the SF Department of Public Health Communicable Disease Control Unit (628) 217-6100
California Department of Public Health
Viral and Rickettsial Disease Laboratory
Mon-Fri
Semi-Quantitative Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA)
5 days
| Collection |
Gold or red top
7-10 ml of capillary blood (finger or heel stick) can be used for pediatric patients, if necessary; at least 3-5 capillary tubes are needed.
After separation from cells: Refrigerated: 24 hours; Frozen: 1 year (avoid repeated freeze/thaw cycles)
Bacterially contaminated, heat-inactivated, hemolyzed, icteric, lipemic, or turbid specimens.
| Processing |
California Department of Public Health
Viral and Rickettsial Disease Laboratory
Specimen is sent out to SFDPH by Microbiology.
Order the Measles IgM within the “Measles (Rubeola) Profile – Suspect Cases” order panel.
Separate serum from cells ASAP or within 2 hours of collection. Transfer at least 1 mL serum to Standard Transport Tube. Parallel testing is preferred and convalescent specimens must be received within 30 days from receipt of the acute specimens. Mark specimens plainly as "acute" or "convalescent."
Bacterially contaminated, heat-inactivated, hemolyzed, icteric, lipemic, or turbid specimens.
After separation from cells: Refrigerated: 24 hours; Frozen: 1 year (avoid repeated freeze/thaw cycles)
| Result Interpretation |
| Administrative |
| Complete View |
If you suspect measles, place the patient on Airborne Isolation and call UCSF Infection Control immediately.
Patient's physician must discuss the case and receive approval for submission of specimens from the SF Department of Public Health Communicable Disease Control Unit (628) 217-6100
Aid in the diagnosis of acute measles infection.
UCSF Measles Testing Guidance (link)
California Department of Public Health
Viral and Rickettsial Disease Laboratory
Mon-Fri
Semi-Quantitative Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA)
Gold or red top
7-10 ml of capillary blood (finger or heel stick) can be used for pediatric patients, if necessary; at least 3-5 capillary tubes are needed.
Bacterially contaminated, heat-inactivated, hemolyzed, icteric, lipemic, or turbid specimens.
Specimen is sent out to SFDPH by Microbiology.
Order the Measles IgM within the “Measles (Rubeola) Profile – Suspect Cases” order panel.
Separate serum from cells ASAP or within 2 hours of collection. Transfer at least 1 mL serum to Standard Transport Tube. Parallel testing is preferred and convalescent specimens must be received within 30 days from receipt of the acute specimens. Mark specimens plainly as "acute" or "convalescent."
After separation from cells: Refrigerated: 24 hours; Frozen: 1 year (avoid repeated freeze/thaw cycles)
5 days
