Hemolysis-in-gel and neutralization tests for determination of antibodies to mumps virus.

A hemolysis-in-gel test for the demonstration of antibodies to mumps virus is described. The results were compared with those of neutralization tests using a modified microtechnique. In the neutralization test viral replication was demonstrated by the hemadsorption of guinea pig erythrocytes, the visibility of which could be further enhanced by the use of o-tolidine. Good correlation was found between the results of the two techniques. The hemolysis-in-gel test was simple to perform, rapid, sensitive, and shown to be a useful test for the demonstration of mumps antibodies.