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Viral parotitis: IgM antibodies to mumps virus in the blood
Last reviewed: 18.10.2021
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Antibodies of IgM to mumps virus in serum are not normally present.
The causative agent of mumps is classified as myxovirus. Epidemic mumps are more common in children 3-10 years of age. The main method of laboratory diagnosis of mumps is the detection of IgM antibodies against mumps virus in the blood serum.
Children under 2 years of age have mild epidemic parotitis, but then the incidence increases and reaches a peak by 5-9 years. Diagnosis of mumps is based on the clinical picture of the disease. Serological confirmation of acute infection can be obtained with the use of ELISA, which allows to determine antibodies of IgM class. IgM antibodies to mumps virus appear in the acute period of infection (on the second day of the disease they are detected in 70% of patients, by the 5th day - at 100%) and persist up to 2 years (in 50% of patients - more than 5 months). Detection of IgM antibodies in the serum or an increase in IgG antibody titer in paired sera more than 4 times (sensitivity 88%) indicates a current infection.
RSK has less sensitivity and specificity. To confirm the diagnosis, the analysis of paired sera is necessary. The increase in titers during the disease is 4 times or more considered diagnostic. At a single study, the diagnostic titer is 1:80 and higher.