What assay is optimal for the diagnosis of measles virus infection? An evaluation of the performance of a measles virus real-time reverse transcriptase PCR using the Cepheid SmartCycler® and antigen detection by immunofluorescence

Abstract

Background: Despite the World Health Organization (WHO)-reported elimination of measles in Australia, importation of cases especially in travellers from Asia continues in Sydney, Australia's largest city. Laboratory confirmation supports clinico-epidemiological evidence of measles virus infection, and is needed to establish elimination. Objectives: To evaluate the performance of a random access real-time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) assay using the moderate complexity SmartCycler® platform, and measles antigen detection by immunofluorescence (IFA), for the detection of measles virus in patient samples. Study design: One hundred samples comprising nose and throat s..