The sensitivity, specificity and effectivity of 5 methods for detection of measles-specific IgM antibodies were compared. A total of 371 sera from non-immunized as well as immunized measles patients was included into the study. The highest positive rate was achieved by the haemadsorption-immunosorbent (HIST) test. The density gradient (DG) centrifugation and the ion-exchange chromatography (IERCR) were 10-15% less effective. Protein A-Sepharose affinity chromatography (ACR) and 2-mercaptoethanol (2-ME) treatment showed positive results in the half of samples which had been positive in the HIST. The titres were in significant correlation (r = 0.90 to r = 0.8793 at P = 0.01). Specificity and reproducibility of the tests were good. Rheumatoid factor did not influence the results. In general, HIST was found as most sensitive and effective.