Because methods for measuring cell-mediated immunity (CMI) to the mumps virus are expensive,
time-consuming, and technically demanding, the role of CMI in mumps virus infection remains
unclear. To address this issue, we report here the development of a simplified method for measuring
mumps virus-specific CMI that is suitable for use in diverse laboratory and clinical settings. A mumps
vaccine was cultured with whole blood, and interferon (IFN)-γ released into the culture supernatant
was measured using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. IFN-γ production in blood from
vaccinated subjects markedly increased in response to the vaccine and decreased before the
antibody titer decreased in some cases, suggesting that this assay may be used as a simple surrogate
method for measuring CMI specific for the mumps virus