Mumps III. Comparison of Methods for Detection of Viruria

Summary and conclusions

Of 110 urine specimens collected from 21 patients with culturally confirmed mumps, 58 were positive for mumps virus. In 56 virus was recovered by cell culture only, in one by hen's egg method only, and one urine by both methods. In the primary cell cultures cytopathic effect was the most sensitive indicator of virus. Hemadsorption was demonstrated on passage, however, in 90% of specimens exhibiting a cytopathic effect. Hemagglutinin was present in 88% of fluids from cultures with cells positive for hemadsorption. Mumps virus was detected as late as the 15th day of illness and in 80% of urines collected from these patients during the first 5 days of illness.

It is concluded that cell cultures are superior to embryonated hen's eggs in detecting viruria, that in the cell culture system cytopathic effect is a more sensitive indicator of virus than hemagglutination or hemadsorption, but that the latter is a simple and rapid confirmatory technic.