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Test Name:
Rubella IgM Antibody
- SBMF No:
28226 - Performance Lab Name:
Immunology - Test Mnemonic:
RUBE IGM - ABN:
Not required - CPT Code:
86762 - LOINC Code:
8015-0 - Also Known As:
German Measles IgM Antibody
Measles, German, IgM Antibody - Also See:
28227 – TORCH IgM Antibodies
28036 – Rubella IgG Antibody - Spec Type:
Serum - Spec Container:
Gold top (SST) or red top (serum) tube - Pref Vol:
1.0 mL - Min Vol:
0.5 mL - Fasting:
No - Spec Collect:
Routine venipuncture - Spec Process:
Clot 30 minutes
Promptly centrifuge 15 minutes
Immediately transfer serum to separate plastic tube
Properly centrifuged gel barrier tube sample does not require transfer of serum to separate tube - Spec Store Transport:
Refrigerated - Spec Stability:
5 days refrigerated (2-8°C)
6 months frozen (-20°C) – Do not use frost-free units that undergo repeated freeze/thaw cycles - Spec Reject:
Severely lipemic, hemolyzed, or heat-inactivated sample - Methodology:
Two-Step Chemiluminescent Enzyme Immunoassay - Use:
Aid in diagnosing suspected cases of primary, acute rubella infection - Clinical Significance:
Rubella, also known as German measles, occurs throughout the world. The prodromal stage includes malaise and a low-grade fever, followed by characteristic lymphadenitis and finally a macular or maculopapular rash. While rubella is primarily an infection of children, rubella infections during pregnancy can result in congenital infections with disastrous consequences. Birth defects, such as deafness and/or congenital heart defects are the most common. Multiple defects such as mental retardation, cataracts and hepatosplenomegaly may also occur and contribute to death of the infant in the first year of life. Infants with congenital infections may secrete virus for up to two years. Contact with these children poses a risk to susceptible pregnant women.
Clinical symptoms of rubella infection are frequently mild or nonspecific, making the infection difficult to diagnose clinically. For these reasons, pregnant women with an undiagnosed illness with rash should be evaluated for the possibility of an acute, primary rubella infection. While the virus can be cultured in vitro, serology remains the principal means for establishing a clinical diagnosis of acquired rubella and congenital infections. As two-thirds of defects are not apparent at birth, it is recommended that children exposed in utero be monitored for clinical and serological status until school age.
A rubella vaccine, introduced in 1969, has significantly lowered the incidence of both acute disease and congenital rubella syndrome. However, as the vaccination program may vary with geographical location and as the level of immunity provided by vaccination is not always adequate, pregnant women and women of child-bearing age are routinely screened for immune status.
The presence of rubella IgG antibodies indicates a previous vaccination or infection and is indicative of presumptive immunity. Patients suspected of having primary, acute rubella infection should be tested for the presence of IgM antibodies. - Reference Range:
Negative: Less than 0.9 IV - No significant level of detectable antibody
Equivocal: 0.9-1.0 IV - Repeat testing in 10-14 days may be helpful.
Positive: Greater than 1.1 IV - IgM antibody to Rubella detected which may indicate a current or recent infection or immunization - Day Run:
Mon, Fri - Time Run:
7:00 am - Time Reported:
5:00 pm - Test Type:
IMMUNOLOGY
