Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 19, 2026
07:06
Particle Agglutination Method for Poliovirus Identification
Published on: April 20, 2011
A NOTE ON THE ETIOLOGY OF EPIDEMIC POLIOMYELITIS
1Laboratories of The Rockefeller Institute for Medical Research.
The Journal of Experimental Medicine
|October 30, 2009
Summary
Minute microorganisms, termed globoid bodies, were cultivated from the central nervous system of poliomyelitis patients. These findings support the etiological link between these microorganisms and epidemic poliomyelitis.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Virology
- Neurology
Background:
- Poliomyelitis is a serious neurological disease.
- The causative agent of poliomyelitis has been debated.
- Previous studies suggested a viral etiology.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify and cultivate the etiological agent of poliomyelitis.
- To confirm the relationship between a specific microorganism and poliomyelitis.
- To investigate the presence of this microorganism in infected hosts.
Main Methods:
- Cultivation of globoid bodies from central nervous organs of infected humans and monkeys.
- Incubation of poliomyelitic brain tissues in kidney-ascitic fluid culture medium.
- Detection of microorganisms in blood films and brain tissue sections.
Main Results:
- Globoid bodies were detected in incubated brain tissues, suggesting post-mortem multiplication.
- A more certain method for obtaining cultures involved incubating and crushing tissues.
- Identical bodies were found in blood films during the acute attack and in blood after intravenous virus inoculation.
- No other microorganisms were detected in brain or blood samples.
Conclusions:
- The observed globoid bodies are consistent with the etiological agent of poliomyelitis.
- These findings support the proposed link between the minute microorganism and epidemic poliomyelitis.
- The study confirms previous cultivation and inoculation experiments.
Related Concept Videos
01:17Poliomyelitis
Poliomyelitis is caused by poliovirus, a small, non-enveloped, positive-sense RNA virus of the Picornaviridae family and Enterovirus genus. Transmission occurs primarily via the fecal-oral route, often through ingestion of contaminated water or food. The virus initially replicates in the oropharynx and intestinal mucosa, particularly in lymphoid tissues such as the tonsils, Peyer’s patches, and regional lymph nodes. Primary viremia follows, allowing dissemination throughout the body.In most...
01:18Viral Meningitis
Viral meningitis is the most common form of meningitis and is often referred to as aseptic meningitis to indicate the absence of bacterial involvement. It is generally milder than bacterial meningitis, with symptoms including fever, headache, stiff neck, drowsiness, nausea, photophobia, and vomiting. Rarely, more severe manifestations or death may occur. Common causative agents include enteroviruses, particularly coxsackie A and B viruses and echoviruses, all members of the Enterovirus genus...
01:19Encephalitis l: Introduction
Encephalitis is inflammation of the brain parenchyma, most often due to infections or autoimmune processes. It presents with neuropsychiatric features such as fever, altered mental status, behavioral changes, cognitive dysfunction, seizures, focal deficits, and sometimes autonomic instability. In some cases, the meninges are also involved, resulting in meningoencephalitis.Infectious CausesInfectious encephalitis is most commonly viral but can also result from bacterial, fungal, or parasitic...
01:26Encephalitis ll: Pathophysiology
Encephalitis is inflammation of the brain parenchyma caused by direct viral invasion or immune-mediated mechanisms triggered by infections or tumors. Both processes lead to neuronal injury, disrupted neurotransmission, and diverse neurological symptoms, often with overlapping clinical and pathological features.Autoimmune EncephalitisIn autoimmune encephalitis, antibodies target neuronal antigens on cell surfaces, synapses, or within neurons. A key example is anti-NMDAR encephalitis, which can...
01:28Infectious Diseases and Their Occurrence
Infectious diseases appear in populations through various transmission patterns, influenced by pathogen characteristics, population immunity, environmental conditions, and social behavior. Understanding these patterns is essential for effective public health surveillance and intervention. These categories—sporadic, outbreak, epidemic, pandemic, and endemic—help frame the nature and scope of disease events.Sporadic diseases occur irregularly and infrequently, without a predictable temporal or...
01:24Smallpox
Smallpox is a severe contagious disease caused by the Variola major virus, a double-stranded DNA member of the Poxviridae family.Variola major transmission occurs primarily via inhalation of virus-laden droplets or direct contact with infectious scabs. The incubation period averages approximately seven days, although it may range from 7 to 17 days depending on the inoculum and host factors.Clinically, the prodromal phase is marked by an abrupt onset of high fever, malaise, headache, and myalgia.