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Poliovirus

Poliovirus

Picornaviridae (family) Enterovirus (genus)

Poliovirus types 1-3

– Most often infect children – Most cases are asymptomatic, particularly when infection is limited to the pharynx and gastrointestinal tract.

In approximately 5% of cases, nonspecific flu-like symptoms occur and subside within a week.
However, 1 in 200 cases will involve the central nervous system.

– Virus reaches the CNS via viremia and retrograde neuronal travel – Replicates in the spinal cord (motor neurons of the anterior horn). – Causes meningitis in some individuals – Poliomyelitis occurs in 1 out of 200 poliovirus infections: Temporary or permanent paralysis that typically involves the limbs; when the muscles involving respiration are involved, infection can be fatal.

“Iron lung” = Emerson Respirator used to mechanically support respiration in polio patients.
Post-polio syndrome occurs when nerve dysfunction occurs 30-40 years after initial poliomyelitis.
Vaccination can prevent this crippling and potentially fatal disease.

– The inactivated polio vaccine (IPV) is currently given to children in the United States and to adults at increased risk (travelers, laboratory and health care workers, etc.). – The live attenuated oral polio vaccine (OPV) is still available in some countries.

Image Credit:

“Public Domain Picture | This Photograph Shows the Rear Oblique View of an Emerson Respirator, Known as an ‘iron Lung.’ Devices Such as These Were Used by Polio Pati | ID: 13519566018407 | PublicDomainFiles.Com.” Accessed July 30, 2018. http://www.publicdomainfiles.com/show_file.php?id=13519566018407.

Poliovirus

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