Mumps Virus (Paramyxoviridae)

Mumps virus was first described in the fifth century BC and has been frequently associated with parotid swelling. The virus has a non-segmented negative strand RNA genome. The epithelium of the upper respiratory tract is the most common route of transmission. Parotid swelling occurs in as many as 95% of individuals with symptoms; a further 75% of these subsequently develop swelling in the contra-lateral gland. The peak incidence of mumps in unvaccinated individuals is in children of 5-7 years of age and vaccination rates of up to 95% may be necessary to establish herd immunity. The focus of management of mumps is symptomatic relief and supportive as there is no specific antiviral therapy. The uncertainty in clinical identification of mumps infection is further complicated by the need for appropriate timing of sample collection and the inconclusive nature of available laboratory assays. Mumps virus RNA can be detected and quantified with high specificity by real time reverse transcriptase (RT-PCR) assays. The enzyme immunoassay (EIA) method to measure and quantify mumps IgM and IgG is predominantly used due to its efficiency and simplicity.