Mumps

Mumps is a generalized illness characterized by fever, and inflammation and swelling of the salivary glands, particularly the parotid glands. Mumps is usually not severe in children, but in adults the inflammation may involve the ovaries or testes (orchitis). Mumps is also one of the most common causes of aseptic meningitis and encephalitis. The etiological agent is a member of the paramyxovirus group. The proportion of young adults who become infected has been rising slowly over the last two decades. Women may be at risk for spontaneous abortions if they get mumps during the first trimester of pregnancy.

Therefore, laboratory diagnosis is needed to establish the immune status of the patient, especially immunocompromised individuals and pregnant women.

Mumps IgG assays are used for diagnostic assessment of prior infection with Mumps virus. Mumps IgM assays are indicated for the detection of early or recent infection.