Rubella

Topic Menu
Contact Information

State Public Health Laboratory
101 N. Chestnut Street
PO Box 570
Jefferson City, MO 65102-0570
Directions to the Laboratory
Phone:  573-751-3334
Fax:  573-526-2754
Email: labweb1@health.mo.gov

For laboratory-related public health emergencies occurring after normal business hours, contact the Department of Health and Senior Services at 1-800-392-0272.
Reachable 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Feedback form

Brief Description

IgM Serology for Rubella

Laboratory Unit

Respiratory & Vaccine-Preventable Disease

Methodology

Chemiluminescent immunoassay (CLIA)

Specimen Collection

Virus Serology Kit

False-negatives may occur if specimens are collected within 72 hours of onset.

A second specimen collected 72 hours after rash onset should be tested if false-negative results are suspected.
 

Storage/Transport

Store samples at 2-8°C after collection. Ship in provided collection kit with freeze pillow(s) provided. Specimens must be received within 7 days of collection.

If samples will not be received within 7 days of collection, they should be aliquoted and stored deep-frozen (-20°C or below) and shipped on dry ice.

Acceptable Specimen Type(s)

Serum

Test Request Form(s)

Virology Test Request Form

Possible Results

Positive
Negative 
Equivocal 
Unsatisfactory

Unacceptable Conditions

Hemolyzed

Icteric

Lipemic 
Unidentified specimen
No name on specimen

Improper storage/transport of specimen

Interfering Substances

Hemolyzed, icteric, or lipemic specimens are not acceptable.

Patients that have received one or more doses of the MMR vaccine may demonstrate an IgM response that is missing, delayed, or transient.

Result Reported

Results provided day of receipt

Fees

N/A

CPT Codes

N/A

LOINC/SNOMED Codes

N/A

Additional Information

Rubella IgM is performed only as part of a disease outbreak investigation.  Routine testing or screening is not provided.

Any suspect rubella infections should be reported to your local public health agency.