MUMPS VIRUS IGM ELISA

The qualitative immunoenzymatic determination of specific antibodies is based on the ELISA (Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent Assay) technique. Microplates are coated with specific antigens to bind corresponding antibodies of the sample. After washing the wells to remove all unbound sample material a horseradish peroxidase (HRP) labelled conjugate is added. This conjugate binds to the captured antibodies. In a second washing step unbound conjugate is removed. The immune complex formed by the bound conjugate is visualized by adding Tetramethylbenzidine (TMB) substrate which gives a blue reaction product. The intensity of this product is proportional to the amount of specific antibodies in the sample. Sulphuric acid is added to stop the reaction. This produces a yellow endpoint colour. Absorbance at 450/620 nm is read using an ELISA microwell plate reader.

BACKGROUND

Mumps viruses are RNA viruses of the family Paramyxoviridae. The virions are spherical particles of 150-250 nm in diameter consisting of a ribonucleoprotein with helical symmetry and enveloped by matrix protein and a lipid bilayer which contains two spikeline structures: viral hemagglutinin (H) and viral neuraminidase (N). Mumps virus involves primarily the parotid and related salivary glands; however infection can lead to CNS disease and accumulation of the virus in CSF. Mumps (Epidemic Parotitis) is an acute contagious viral disease mostly occuring in children. Nearly 50% of all infections are subclinical. The highest incidence of clinical manifestations is found in the age group of 4 to 15 years. Secondary infections are rare because of long-lasting immunity.

10 to 35 % of mumps cases develop orchitis which occurs nearly always after puberty. The process is mostly unilateral and the prognosis usually good. Mumps virus has been one of the most important causes of viral CNS disease (meningitis and encephalitis) in USA; vaccine administration has greatly reduced its incidence.

THIS ELISA ASSAY IS FOR RESEARCH USE ONLY. IT IS NOT FOR USE IN DIAGNOSTIC PROCEDURES.