Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 8, 2026
Author Spotlight: Rabies-Specific Antibody Isotypes Detection in Sera or Cerebral Spinal Fluid Using an IFA Test
Published on: January 19, 2024
Serological diagnosis of mumps: Value of the titration of specific IgG
Juan Carlos Sanz1, Belén Ramos2, Aurora Fernández3
1Laboratorio Regional de Salud Pública de la Comunidad de Madrid, Madrid, España; Programa de Prevención, Vigilancia y control de las Enfermedades Transmisibles (PREVICET), Consorcio de Investigación Biomédica de Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Madrid, España.
Introduction:
The aim of this study was to evaluate a cut-off point of the titration of IgG by ELISA in the diagnosis of mumps.
Methods:
A study was made of serum samples from 85 mumps cases (confirmed by PCR in saliva) and 2,351 controls of the general population of the Region of Madrid.
Results:
The IgM detection was positive in 21 cases (sensitivity of 24.7%). The best cut-off point corresponded to IgG titres ≥4,900 (sensitivity of 64.7% and specificity of 86.1%). Among 42 patients immunised with at least one dose of measles mumps, rubella vaccine IgM was detected in 4 cases. However, the detection of IgG ≥4,900 was positive in 29 (sensitivity of 69.0%).
Conclusions:
An IgG result of ≥4.900 was almost 5 times more probable in a patient with mumps than in a non-infected patient. The detection of high titres of IgG against mumps could improve the IgM results in vaccinated people.
Insights
Evaluating IgG titres using ELISA for mumps diagnosis, this study found a cut-off of ≥4,900 significantly improves diagnostic accuracy, especially in vaccinated individuals.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Virology
- Diagnostic Medicine
Background:
- Mumps diagnosis relies on serological markers, but accuracy can be challenging.
- Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) is a common method for detecting antibodies.
- Optimizing cut-off points for antibody titres is crucial for reliable diagnosis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine an optimal cut-off point for IgG antibody titration by ELISA in mumps diagnosis.
- To assess the diagnostic performance of IgG titres compared to IgM detection.
Main Methods:
- Serum samples from 85 confirmed mumps cases and 2,351 controls were analyzed.
- Mumps confirmation in cases was performed using PCR in saliva.
- ELISA was used for detecting both IgM and IgG antibodies against mumps.
Main Results:
- IgM detection showed a sensitivity of 24.7%.
- An IgG cut-off titre of ≥4,900 demonstrated a sensitivity of 64.7% and specificity of 86.1%.
- In vaccinated individuals, IgG titres ≥4,900 had a sensitivity of 69.0% compared to 24.7% for IgM.
Conclusions:
- An IgG titre of ≥4,900 is a valuable indicator for mumps diagnosis, being nearly 5 times more probable in infected individuals.
- Elevated IgG titres can enhance diagnostic accuracy, particularly in mumps-vaccinated populations where IgM detection may be less reliable.
