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

•Laboratory diagnosis is essential for effective control for measles virus infection.•Measles virus real-time RT-PCR is superior to antigen detection by immunofluorescence.•Nucleic acid testing is the test of choice for measles virus detection.