Mumps and Splenic Abscess: Is There a Link?

Mumps is an acute viral illness occurring in children and young adults transmitted via droplets. It is a vaccine-preventable illness caused by the mumps virus, an RNA (ribonucleic acid) virus belonging to theParamyxoviridaefamily. It typically presents with fever, parotitis, epididymo-orchitis, oophoritis, meningitis, encephalitis, pancreatitis and arthritis. Although viremia with multiorgan involvement is known to be commonly seen in mumps, there have been no reported cases of splenic abscess in a case of mumps. Here we present the case of a 16-year-old girl with unknown vaccination history who presented with fever, rash, bilateral parotid swelling, myocarditis, pneumonitis with pleural effusion and shock. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for mumps Immunoglobulin M (IgM) antibody was positive (ratio: 7.26, reference: 1.10). She was managed conservatively with parenteral antibiotics, oxygen, inotropic support and bronchodilators. As she complained of abdominal pain in the left hypochondrium on the 13th day since onset of symptoms, ultrasound scan of abdomen was done which showed a hypoechoic lesion with internal echoes in the inferior pole of spleen (2.9 cm x 2.2 cm) suggestive of splenic abscess. Computed tomography (CT) of abdomen confirmed similar findings. The splenic abscess completely regressed with parenteral antibiotics. Therefore, one must suspect splenic abscess in a case of mumps when the presentation includes abdominal pain and tenderness so that appropriate treatment may be provided for the best outcome for the patient.