Studies of the Mumps Skin Test

1) Comparative Evaluation of Various Skin Test Antigens

Abstract

The diagnosis of mumps is confirmed by serological reactions as well as by the skin tests, reported by Enders, Henle, Cabasso and others. The author performed fundamental, comparative studies on various skin test antigens, such as Henle's S and V, Enders', Cabasso's and Habers, and attempted to estimate their practical value in the diagnosis, of, and in the mass-examination of susceptibility to, mumps. The results were as f ollows:
1) Enders' skin test antigen and its control solution were injected intracutaneously, on both forearms of the volunteers simultaneously. The antigen gave rise to an erythema over 10 mm in diameter in 14.8 and 18.2 per cent of the recipients after 24 and 48hours, respectively. No erythema was induced by the control antigen. The skin reaction to Enders', antigen was regarded to represent a specific relation to experienced mumps virus infection, for the antibody titer of hemagglutination inhibition of those with a positive reaction was remarkably higher than that of those with a negative reaction.
2) Henle's S and V antigens proved to be superior to other antigens.
3) The examined antigens showed difference in several respects, as in the frequency distribution curves of the diameter of erythema, in the appearance of induration, in the extinction time of erythema and so f orth.
4) The lyophilization procedure was the most satisfactory, method for the preservation of antigens.