Specimen

Serum

Collection Medium:

Minimum:

2 ml; red top tube (no additive)

Testing Schedule:

Test performed twice weekly.

Analytic Time:

3 days

Reference Range:

Negative

Test
Limitations:

This test is a qualitative enzyme-linked fluorescent immunoassay
(ELFA) for the detection of IgG antibodies to mumps virus to
provide a means of determining the immune status of
individuals.  Mumps is a paramyxovirus that causes an acute
generalized infection primarily in children and adolescents (1).
Mumps is usually a self-limited, benign infection with one-third of
infected individuals remaining asymptomatic, however,
complications (meningitis, encephalitis, epididymo-orchitis,
oophoritis, et al) may occur (1).  A mumps vaccine used in the
U.S. since 1967 is credited with a >99% drop in the annual
number of cases documented in 1996 (2).

A negative mumps IgG test result indicates possible
susceptibility to mumps infection.  If a patient has an equivocal
result, a new specimen will be requested for repeat testing.  A
positive test result indicates prior exposure to mumps (usually by
vaccination) or a convalescent stage of infection.

A false positive result is possible due to cross-reactions with
other paramyxoviruses  (i.e., parainfluenza viruses) (3).  Positive
results in patients that have received blood products within the
past 3 months may not indicate the patient's true immune status.

References

1) Baum SG and N Litman. 2000. "Mumps virus." In G.M. Mandell.,
J.E. Bennett, & R. Dolin. (Eds.) Mandell, Douglas, and Bennett's
principles and practice of infectious diseases. 5th ed. (pp. 1776-
1781). Philadelphia, PA: Churchill Livingstone.

2) Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 1997. Status
report on the childhood immunization initiative: reported cases of
selected vaccine-preventable diseases-United States, 1996.
MMWR 46:665-671.

3) Harmsen T, et al. 1992. Comparison of a neutralization
enzyme immunoassay for evaluation of immune status of
children vaccinated for mumps. J Clin Microbiol 30:2139-2144.

Methodology:

Enzyme-Linked Fluorescent Immunoassay (ELFA)

CPT Code:

86735

See Additional Information:
Microbiology Specimen Collection and Transport