New DSQ Alert^® Measles Analyte Specific Reagents to Support Molecular Labs Amid Rising Measles Cases

New reagent suite supports flexible assay development for measles detection, vaccine strain discrimination, and open-platform molecular workflows.

As measles activity continues to rise across the United States, molecular laboratories are facing renewed pressure to maintain accurate and adaptable testing capabilities. 

Each year, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report the cumulative number of measles outbreaks, defined as 3 or more related cases that have occurred within that year in the United States.

According to the CDC, 2,281** confirmed measles cases were reported in 2025 compared with 285 confirmed cases in 2024. Outbreak activity also increased significantly, with 50 outbreaks reported in 2025 and 90% of confirmed cases linked to outbreak transmission compared to 16 outbreaks in 2024 and 69% of cases were outbreak-associated. As of February 26, 2026, 1,136 confirmed measles cases have already been reported nationwide, with continued outbreak-associated spread.

There have been 10 new outbreaks reported in 2026, and 90% of confirmed cases (1,023 of 1,136) are outbreak-associated (152 from outbreaks starting in 2026 and 871 from outbreaks that started in 2025).

This evolving epidemiological landscape reinforces the need for molecular laboratories to maintain flexible assay development strategies that can adapt quickly to changing public health demands.

We are addressing that need with the launch of DSQ Alert^® Measles and RNase P Analyte Specific Reagents.

Unlike the CDC’s two-target measles assay approach using separate PCR targets listed below, Bruker’s reagent design utilizes a single PCR amplicon supported by proprietary chemistry. 

• one amplicon for detection of generic measles strains
• another amplicon for discrimination of vaccine strain (strain A)

Our Measles Analyte Specific Reagents product suite utilizes a single PCR amplicon. The inclusion of our Super I^® nucleoside analogue enables shorter primer designs and enhanced hybridization properties. This design utilizes two proprietary probe chemistries to support target discrimination:

• one DSQ^® hydrolysis probe to support generic measles nucleic acid amplification
• one Pleiades^® hybridization probe to support vaccine strain discrimination

^§Analyte Specific Reagent. Analytical and performance characteristics are not established.

These reagents are optimized to support molecular labs to develop assays using real-time PCR on ELITe InGenius^®, ELITe BeGenius^®, or other open-channel platforms.

The DSQ Alert^® product line is built on our proprietary DSQ probe chemistry designed to possess long-range and broad-spectrum fluorescence quenching abilities to retain the breadth of compatible fluorophores and the multiplexing capacity of an azo dye quencher.

We understand what is at stake—timely detection of pathogen targets can be critical for labs amid evolving regulatory and epidemiological needs.

At Bruker (formerly ELITechGroup MDx—A Bruker Company), we are leaders in providing innovative diagnostic solutions to laboratories nationwide. With decades of experience in the industry, our mission is to empower labs with the tools and knowledge they need to deliver accurate, reliable, and timely diagnostics. We are committed to supporting our partners through every regulatory change, ensuring that patient care remains at the forefront of everything we do.

** Measles Cases and Outbreaks (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, US Department of Health and Human Services, 2026), https://www.cdc.gov/measles/data-research/index.html