Daily, Monday - Friday 

1-3 Days

Test of choice for detection of Measles virus infection in symptomatic individuals 

Yes - Please contact the Wisconsin Immunization Program at 608-267-9959 or after hours at 608-258-0099 for approval

Specimens collected from sites other than those listed here will not be tested. 

Specimens collected using swabs or kits other than those specified below will be rejected. 

Specimens (other than urine) received with no swab will be rejected.

Detection of Measles RNA is most successful when samples are collected on the first day of rash through the 3 days following onset of rash. Detection of measles RNA by RT-PCR may be successful as late as 10-14 days after rash onset. Collect throat or nasopharyngeal swab samples as soon as measles disease is suspected.

A nasopharyngeal swab (preferred), oropharyngeal (throat) swab, or combined nasopharyngeal/oropharyngeal swab, placed in viral transport media is acceptable for testing. Neat urine is also acceptable.  

Store specimens refrigerated (2-8 °C). Send specimens immediately and within 10 days of collection.

Minimum volume for testing is 1 mL (15mL is the minimum for urine specimens).  

Respiratory specimens should be collected with a Dacron or polyester swab and placed in Viral Transport Medium (VTM) or Universal Transport Medium (UTM). 

Urine should be collected in a sterile, leakproof container.

Include patient MMR vaccination status and dates of vaccination on the requisition form, if available. 

Laboratory regulations require the following minimum information to be provided on the requisition form for a specimen to be accepted for testing: Patient name or unique identifier; date and time of collection, patient date of birth and sex, specimen type/site of collection, test request(s), clinician name and UPIN, and address for reporting results. Please be certain that name/identifier on the form matches that on the specimen label.

Improper specimen type (e.g. Nasal swab, buccal swab). 

Specimens collected with an unacceptable swab type (e.g. cotton or calcium alginate swabs or swabs with wooden sticks). Dry swabs, or swabs placed in unacceptable transport media (e.g. Amies media).  

Specimens collected >10 days from receipt. 

Transport specimens at 2-8 °C with a frozen cold pack. 

Category B Shipping

This test is eligible for fee-exempt courier service. 

Contact Purple Mountain Dispatch at 800-990-9668 for specimen pickup

Monday-Friday 7:45 AM - 4:30 PM, Saturday 7:45 AM - 12:00 PM

Measles virus RNA detected/not detected, Equivocal, Indeterminate

A negative test result does not rule out infection with the measles virus.

Measles IgM and IgG Antibody - SS02120

Rubella Virus PCR - VR01725

Please contact the Wisconsin Immunization Program at 608-267-9959 or after hours at 608-258-0099 for approval when submitting specimens for Measles virus testing.

Real-time RT-PCR

Real-time RT-PCR for the detection of measles virus RNA in symptomatic individuals. 

If positive for Measles virus, Measles virus genotyping and/or Measles Vaccine RT-PCR may be performed on this specimen. 

Measles vaccine real-time RT-PCR is performed on measles positive specimens from patients with recent vaccine history. This test can aid in determining if a positive result is due to the identification of a wild-type or vaccine strain.

Measles virus genotyping is performed on wild-type measles specimens for epidemiologic surveillance purposes.

Laboratory Developed Test (LDT)

Yes; If fee-exempt testing at the WSLH is needed, please contact the Wisconsin Immunization Program at 608-267-9959 or after hours at 608-258-0099.

1-800-862-1065 arbill@slh.wisc.edu