Measles laboratory findings
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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]
Overview
Measles is a disease best diagnosed clinically, however lab tests have a limited role to play esp. in those conditions where the diagnosis is uncertain and certain cases of atypical pneumonia. Detecting a positive rise in measles IgM antibodies is one of the methods used for laboratory diagnosis of measles. Histologially, a unique cell can be found in the paracortical region of hyperplastic lymph nodes in patients affected with pneumonia secondary to measles. This cell is known as the Warthin-Finkeldey cell. It is helpful in diagnosing measles associated pneumonia.
Laboratory Findings
Alternatively, laboratory diagnosis of measles can be done with confirmation of positive measles IgM antibodies or isolation of measles virus RNA from respiratory specimens. In cases of measles infection following secondary vaccine failure IgM antibody may not be present. In these cases serological confirmation may be made by showing IgG antibody rises by Enzyme immunoasay or complement fixation.
Positive contact with other patients known to have measles adds strong epidemiological evidence to the diagnosis.
Some patients will develop pneumonia as a sequela to the measles. Histologically, a unique cell can be found in the paracortical region of hyperplastic lymph nodes in patients affected with this condition. This cell, known as the Warthin-Finkeldey cell, is a multinucleated giant with eosinophilic cytoplasmic and nuclear inclusions. Shown below is an image depicting histological section of lung specimen in a patient with measles associated pneumonia:
