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WSLH Communicable Disease: Mumps

Mumps Virus

The information provided is offered as a resource for Wisconsin Laboratories and Health Care Facilities

Guidance

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    • The amount of virus shed at the time of sample collection may have been too low to be detected.

    • Inadequate specimen collection, processing, shipping or storage can also significantly reduce the likelihood of detecting Mumps virus or Mumps RNA.
    • Mumps IgM antibody may be transient or undetectable in previously vaccinated individuals.
  • All suspected cases of mumps should be immediately reported to the local public health department.

  • Following CDC guidelines, the Wisconsin State Laboratory of Hygiene (WSLH) recommends collection of specimens for serologic and real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing for all suspect cases of mumps.

  • Specimens submitted by non-public health providers are tested on a fee for service basis. Fee exempt testing may be available if the healthcare provider contacts the local health department about testing of patients who are uninsured or cannot otherwise pay for the testing of the specimen by the WSLH.
  • Negative results do not rule out Mumps infection due to the following:

Mumps Testing at the WSLH

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    • Mumps PCR (polymerase chain reaction) of saliva or buccal swabs is now the preferred test for mumps at the WSLH.

    • Results are available within two days of specimen receipt.

    • Specimen collection instructions are provided below.

    • "Mumps PCR" must be written on the requisition form under "Other Tests".

    • Specimens submitted by non-public health providers are tested on a fee for service basis. Fee exempt testing may be available if the healthcare provider contacts the local health department about testing of patients who are uninsured or cannot otherwise pay for the testing of the specimen by the WSLH.

    • Negative results do not rule out mumps infection, as the amount of virus shed at the time of sample collection may have been very low. Inadequate specimen collection, processing, shipping or storage can also significantly reduce the likelihood of detecting mumps virus or mumps RNA.

    • Mumps culture is no longer available as a separate test request at the WSLH, as PCR is now the preferred test.

    • Serum specimens submitted to the WSLH for Mumps IgM serology will be forwarded to the CDC for testing. Turn-around time for test results has been two to three weeks.

    • Previously vaccinated individuals may not have a detectable IgM response. Therefore, the full clinical and epidemiologic picture should be taken into consideration when interpreting test results.

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      • Mumps IgG serology can be performed to assess an individual’s immune status for mumps.

      • Mumps IgG serology of paired sera is not recommended for previously vaccinated individuals.

      • The test can be of value for patients with no history of vaccination or with seronegative acute specimens. Collect acute (as soon after onset as possible) and convalescent (from two to three weeks after onset) sera to determine if a significant rise in IgG antibody titer has occurred (e.g., from 1:40 to 1:320).

      • Diagnostic testing of paired sera for IgG antibody to mumps is available at the WSLH on a fee-for-service basis.
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        • Collect swab as soon as mumps is suspected, preferably within the first 5 days of illness.

        • Synthetic swabs (e.g., Dacron) are preferred over cotton swabs, which may be inhibitory to enzymes used in PCR. Do not use calcium alginate swabs.

        • Prior to collecting a saliva or buccal swab, massage the cheek directly in front of the ear to stimulate saliva production.

        • Swab the area around the Stensen’s ducts (adjacent to the second upper molars).

        • Place the swab in a tube of virus transport medium; any commercially available virus transport medium is acceptable.

        • Maintain swab specimen at refrigerator temperature prior to transport. Transport using kool-packs.

        • In cases of central nervous system disease (aseptic meningitis), collect and submit a CSF specimen without dilution or additives.

        • Maintain specimen at refrigerator temperature prior to transport. Transport using kool-packs.

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          • Acute serum: collect within 5 days after symptom onset

          • Convalescent serum: collect within 2-3 weeks after onset.

        • Serum specimens for IgM serology will be forwarded to the CDC for testing.

        • Turn-around time for those test results has been about two weeks.

        • Collect 7-10 ml of blood in a red top or serum separator tube (SST).

        • Maintain serum at refrigerator temperature prior to transport. Transport using kool-packs.
      • Saliva or buccal swabs

      • CSF

      • Serum
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      • When submitting specimens to the WSLH for mumps testing, include a completed requisition form (CDD form A or B). If you do not have a WSLH requisition form available, you may substitute the "General Outbreak" form available at this link:

      • Be sure to complete the submitter information, along with complete patient information, and the agent and test requested.
      • Patient specimens or isolates for Mumps testing can be packaged and transported as "Category B Biological Substances".

      • Specimens should be maintained at refrigerator temperature before and during transport.
    • Immune status
    • Diagnostic Testing

      Specimen Collection and Submission

      Collect specimens for mumps testing as follows:

      Forms

      Shipping
  • PCR
  • Culture
  • IgM Serology
  • IgG Serology

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