Measles Laboratory Activities
Serology
VIDRL performs daily measles serology testing and provides laboratory support for the enhanced measles surveillance program conducted by the Victorian Department of Human Services.
VIDRL also provides confirmatory diagnostic testing of acute measles infection for other diagnostic laboratories in Victoria.
The associated diagram details the clinical symptoms and laboratory investigations relevant to measles infection and the times at which specimens should be collected from suspected cases for prompt and sensitive diagnosis.
Riddell MA. 2004. Figure 1.2 Clinical symptoms of measles infection and markers for laboratory diagnosis in Thesis “Simple and practical approaches to the surveillance and diagnosis of measles in the era of measles control” [Doctor of Philosophy]. Melbourne: University of Melbourne. p 11.
References
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de Swart RL. Lancet 2000;355:201-2.
3. Gresser I. New England Journal of Medicine 1960;263(9):452-454.
4. Matsuzono Y. Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine 1994; 148(3):289-93.
5. Nakayama T. Virus Research 1995;35(1):1-16.
6. Jin L. Bulletin of the World Health Organization 2002;80(1):76-7 &
Nigatu W. Journal of Medical Virology 2001;65(2):373-80.
7. Jenkin GA. Medical Journal of Australia 1999;171(4):194-5 &
Rota PA. Journal of Clinical Microbiology 1995;33(9):2485-8.
8. de Swart RL. Journal of Clinical Microbiology 2001;39(1):270-273.
9.Shinoda K. Cornea 2002;21(6):610-2.
Quality Assurance
VIDRL provides and coordinates the measles IgM quality assurance panel for the WHO global measles laboratory network.
Quality assurance is a critical initiative to demonstrate the integrity of surveillance data produced by the global measles laboratory network.
The annual distribution, analysis and provision of technical advice to countries participating in the WHO measles IgM quality assurance program is essential to ensure high quality laboratory testing, which underpins the global measles control and eradication program.
To date over 100 countries have received and tested at least one panel provided by VIDRL.