DETECTION OF MEASLES-VIRUS RNA IN URINE SPECIMENS FROM VACCINE RECIPIENTS

Analysis of urine specimens by using reverse transcriptase-PCR was eva luated as a rapid assay to identify individuals infected with measles virus. For the study, daily urine samples were obtained from either 15 -month old children or young adults following measles immunization. Ov erall, measles virus RNA was detected in 10 of 12 children during the 2-week sampling period. In some cases, measles virus RNA was detected as early as 1 day or as late as 14 days after vaccination. Measles vir us RNA was also detected in the urine samples from all four of the you ng adults between 1 and 13 days after vaccination. This assay will ena ble continued studies of the shedding and transmission of measles viru s and, it is hoped, will provide a rapid means to identify measles inf ection, especially in mild or asymptomatic cases.