Pentti Hänninen

Determination of IgG- and IgM-class antibodies to mumps virus by solid-phase enzyme immunoassay

An indirect enzyme immunoassay (EIA) for the determination of IgG and IgM antibodies to mumps virus is described. Viral antigens and control antigens were adsorbed onto polystyrene microtiter plates, and antibodies attached to the antigens were detected by subsequent binding of commercial peroxidase-labeled antibodies to the heavy chains of human IgG and IgM immunoglobulins. A comparison of antibody titers obtained by the EIA and by indirect immunofluorescence test showed a close concordance between these two tests, with EIA, however, being more sensitive. Occasional cross-reactions between mumps and parainfluenza antibodies were detected in the IgG antibody test but not in the IgM antibody test. In sera from 84 patients with mumps infection, all cases were diagnosed by the EIA IgM antibody assay, 96% from the first serum specimen. Mumps was diagnosed by complement fixation (CF) in 71% of these cases: unclear or erroneous results with parainfluenza titer increases in 10% and no diagnosis in 18% of the cases. The EIA IgM antibody assay was thus better than the CF test for the diagnosis of acute mumps infection.

Rapid diagnosis of adenoviral tonsillitis: A prospective clinical study

Adenovirus antigen was detected by radioimmunoassay in the nasopharyngeal specimens of 30 of 74 children with febrile exudative tonsillitis. In the other 44 children, the cause of tonsillitis was identified in 16 (beta-hemolytic streptococci or Epstein-Barr, parainfluenza, or herpes simplex viruses). The clinical picture of adenoviral tonsillitis was difficult to differentiate from that of streptococcal disease; 20 of the patients had originally been given antibiotics. In 68% of patients without complications, the serum concentration of C-reactive protein was less than 20 mg/L, suggesting a viral disease. No other hematologic test was found helpful in identifying the adenoviral tonsillitis. The rapid detection of adenovirus antigen permitted withdrawal of unnecessary and ineffective antibiotic treatment in most patients.