Mumps IgG Antibodies

Mumps virus, a member of the Paramyxoviridae family, causes an acute, self-limited systemic illness, most commonly in children aged 5–19 years. The hallmark is parotid gland swelling, often accompanied by fever, headache, and fatigue.

A significant increase in Mumps-reactive IgG by EIA is observed in over 90% of paired acute (4–5 days after symptom onset) and convalescent (2–3 weeks after onset) sera. Mumps IgM antibodies may also be detected.

Assay mechanism: Diluted patient serum is incubated with purified native Mumps antigen bound to microwells. If IgG antibodies are present, they form antigen-antibody complexes. Conjugate binds to these complexes. Unbound conjugate is washed away, substrate is added, and in the presence of bound enzyme, a measurable end product forms. Absorbance at 450 nm (reference 600–630 nm) is proportional to Mumps IgG concentration.

Store/transport at 15–30°C for ≤8 hours; 2–8°C for ≤48 hours; freeze at ≤ –20°C if delayed. Avoid repeated freeze–thaw cycles.

Hemolyzed or unseparated specimens.

ELISA

Index Value and Interpretation

• < 0.90 - No detectable Mumps IgG antibody; result does not exclude Mumps infection. Retest within 4&ndash;6 weeks if early infection is suspected.
• 0.90-1.09 - Equivocal for IgG antibodies to Mumps. Sample should be retested. If retest results are equivocal, the sample should be reported as equivocal, tested by another method, or a new sample should be tested
• > 1.10 - Mumps IgG antibody detected; indicative of current or past infection

• King GE, Markowitz LE, Heath J, Redd SC, Coleman S, Bellini WJ, Sievert A. Antibody response to measles-mumps-rubella vaccine of children with mild illness at the time of vaccination. 1996;275(9):704–707.
• Williams WW, Sosis DM, Kaplan KM, Hersh BS, Preblud SR. Vaccine-preventable diseases on college campuses: the emergence of mumps. J Am Coll Health. 1989;37(5):197–203.

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