Detection of measles virus by reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction in a placenta.

INTRODUCTION: Measles virus (MV) during pregnancy is associated with maternal morbidity and mortality and can put the fetus and newborn at risk of a wide range of complications. Reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) for detecting MV in the placenta has not been reported.

CASE: A case of RT-PCR detection of MV in the placenta of a 38-year-old woman who presented with premature rupture of membranes at 16 weeks' gestation is presented.