Laboratory Test Guide

Mumps Antibody IgM (Sendout)

General Information

Lab Name

Lab Code

644

External Test Id

0099589

Description

Useful For: Laboratory diagnosis of mumps virus infection.

Ordering Notes:

Review by the King County Public Health epidemiologist (206-296-4774) is recommended before ordering IgM serology for suspected acute mumps infection.
To determine Mumps immune status, refer to test Mumps Immune Status [MPIS].

References

Mayo Clinic Laboratories Clinical & Interpretive Information: Mumps Virus Antibody, IgM, Serum

Synonyms

MMPM, Mumps IgM, Mumps Serology

Interpretation

Method

Enzyme Immunoassay (EIA)

Ref. Range Notes

Reference Values:

Negative:

Index value 0.00-0.79

Reference value applies to all ages.

Interpretation:

Positive:	Presence of IgM-class antibodies to mumps virus may support a clinical diagnosis of recent or acute phase infection with this virus.
Negative:	Absence of IgM-class antibodies to mumps virus suggests lack of acute phase infection with mumps virus. However, serology may be negative in early disease, and results should be interpreted in the context of clinical findings.

Interferences and Limitations

Cautions:

Results must always be interpreted together with other clinical and laboratory findings.

Serum specimens drawn during the acute phase of infection may be negative by serological tests.

All positive results must be interpreted with care, as some false-positive results or heterotypical responses of the IgM have been seen in the serum of pregnant women or in patients with an acute infection caused by cytomegalovirus, herpes simplex virus, measles, rubella, and parvovirus.

Guidelines

Washington DOH Notifiable Conditions

Ordering & Collection

Specimen Type

Blood

Collection

3 mL blood in GOLD SST or RED TOP tube

Handling Instructions

Outside Laboratories: Centrifuge sample and aliquot serum to a separate plastic vial. Refrigerate serum while awaiting shipment. Transport with a cold pack.

Stability: Refrigerated (preferred): 14 days; Frozen: 14 days; Ambient: Unacceptable.

Reject Due To: Heat-inactivated, hemolyzed, or lipemic specimens.

Quantity

requested: 1 mL serum
minimum: 0.5 mL serum

Processing

Centrifuge sample and aliquot serum to a separate plastic vial. Refrigerate serum.

Sendouts:

Order Mayo Test: MMPM