Anti-Measles Virus IgM (MV IgM) ELISA Kit

Catalog No. ABIN996994

Product Details

Target: Anti-Measles Virus IgM (MV IgM)

Reactivity: Measles Virus

Detection Method: Colorimetric

Method Type: Competition ELISA

Application: ELISA

Purpose: Measles IgM Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) is intended for the qualitative detection of Measles IgM antibodies in human serum of patients suspected of measles (rubeola) infection. T

Analytical Method: Qualitative

Specificity: 92.3%

Sensitivity: 96%

Application Details

Sample Volume: 10 μL

Assay Time: 1 - 2 h

Plate: Pre-coated

Restrictions: For Research Use only

Handling

Storage: 4 °C

Expiry Date: 12-14 months

Target Details

Target: Anti-Measles Virus IgM (MV IgM)

Alternative Name: Measles IgM

Target Type: Antibody

Background: Since the introduction of a measles virus vaccine, many countries have mounted an effective immunization program which has essentially eliminated measles as a major childhood disease in those countries. However, as a result of vaccine failure or the failure to be vaccinated, a recent and persistent shift in the susceptible population towards young adults has been recorded. In the case of measles, severity of illness and mortality rates are highest among adults. Thus, serology has become increasingly important as a tool for determining the immune status of the young adult population entering college or the military. In addition, the linkage between measles infection and premature delivery or spontaneous abortion supports screening pregnant mothers for susceptibility.

Although measles has been recognized as a disease for over two thousand years, a description of its epidemiology first appeared in a paper by Panum in 1849. In his study of an epidemic in the Faroe Islands, Panum observed that measles had an incubation period of two weeks and was contagious but that life-long immunity followed primary infection. Over 100 years later, in 1963, the first live measles vaccine was licensed in the U.S. Vaccine development was made possible by Enders and Peebles' discovery in 1954 that the virus could be successfully grown in an in vitro tissue culture system. The success of the vaccine is evident by the precipitous drop in the annual incidence. Classified as a paramyxovirus, measles produces a highly contagious respiratory infection. The disease is spread during the prodromal phase through direct contact with respiratory secretions in the form of droplets. Ironically, because of the lower incidence of measles, younger physicians often diagnose the illness late in infection after the patient has exposed others. This has resulted in small isolated mini-epidemics among the susceptible population.
Several diseases in addition to measles have been associated but not causally linked to measles virus. This list includes subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE), systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and multiple sclerosis (MS). Patients with SSPE, a chronic degenerative neurologic disease, have documented high titer of antibody to measles virus. However, for SLE and MS there is less pronounced but statistically significant elevation in antibody titers. The significance or role that infection by measles virus plays in these disease states is unknown at the present time.
The immune response to infection (or vaccination) with measles virus is rapid and characteristic. Measles specific IgM and IgG begin to appear in the circulation simultaneously. The IgM response is relatively short- lived (1-3 months), while the IgG response is sustained, resulting in life-long immunity. Therefore, the identification of circulating measles specific IgM antibodies is useful in defining a primary infection.