Parotitis epidemica (mumps) is usually diagnosed on the basis of the clinical picture.
2nd order laboratory parameters-depending on the results of the history, physical examination, etc.-for differential diagnostic workup
- Antibodies against mumps virus (IgG, IgM) in the blood, possibly in the cerebrospinal fluid [IgM antibodies in serum or significant IgG antibody titer increase].
- Direct pathogen detection from swab material, saliva, dental pocket fluid (oral fluid) and cerebrospinal fluid using mumps-specific RNA by PRT-PCR.
- Amylase in serum, lipase – if the pancreas (pancreas) is involved.
- CSF puncture (collection of cerebrospinal fluid by puncture of the spinal canal) for CSF diagnosis – in cases of suspected meningitis.
Note: In vaccinated persons who fall ill with mumps, IgM antibodies are often initially undetectable, so that a normal IgM antibody titer does not reliably exclude the presence of a mumps infection. Evidence is then provided by a second sample after 10-14 days with a rise in titer or by direct pathogen detection by PRT-PCR.
Serologic parameters in parotitis epidemica infection
Overview and evaluation of laboratory diagnostic result constellations:
| Mumps virus serology | Detection of mumps virus genomes | Infection status | |
| Mumps IgG | Mumps IgM | ||
| negative | negative | negative | susceptible (receptive) |
| negative | negative | positive | acute infection |
| negative | positive | positive | acute infection |
| negative | positive | negative | acute infection, possibly also unspecific findings |
| positive | positive | positive | acute infection |
| positive | positive | negative | recent infection, possibly also nonspecific findings |
| positive | negative | positive | Reinfection or vaccine breakthrough |
| positive | negative | negative | past infection or vaccination |
Vaccination status – checking vaccination titers
| Parotitis epidemica(mumps) | Mumps IgG ELISA | <70 U/ml | No sufficient vaccination protection detectable → basic immunization required |
| 70-100 U/ml | Questionable vaccination protection → booster recommended | ||
| > 100 U/ml | Sufficient vaccination protection |
