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Particle Agglutination Method for Poliovirus Identification
07:06

Particle Agglutination Method for Poliovirus Identification

Published on: April 20, 2011

THE ETIOLOGY OF EPIDEMIC POLIOMYELITIS

E T Tsen1

  • 1Department of Bacteriology of the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Columbia University, New York.

The Journal of Experimental Medicine
|October 30, 2009
PubMed

Insights

Streptococci were found in monkeys with poliomyelitis, but did not differ from those in healthy animals. No causal link between streptococci and poliomyelitis was established in this study.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Virology
  • Neurology

Background:

  • Poliomyelitis is a serious neurological disease.
  • The role of bacteria, specifically streptococci, in poliomyelitis pathogenesis has been investigated.
  • Previous studies have explored potential etiological agents for poliomyelitis.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the presence and characteristics of streptococci in the central nervous system of monkeys with poliomyelitis.
  • To determine if streptococci isolated from poliomyelitic monkeys differ from those found in other conditions.
  • To assess the potential etiological role of streptococci in poliomyelitis.

Main Methods:

  • Isolation and characterization of streptococci from the central nervous system of monkeys.
  • Comparison of streptococci from poliomyelitic monkeys with those from non-poliomyelitic monkeys and rabbits.
  • Attempts to isolate and culture unknown organisms resembling globoid bodies.
  • Experimental inoculation of rabbits with poliomyelitic virus and streptococci.

Main Results:

  • Streptococci were isolated from monkeys with poliomyelitis, as well as from healthy monkeys and rabbits.
  • No significant differences were observed between streptococci isolated from poliomyelitic and non-poliomyelitic subjects.
  • An organism resembling globoid bodies was isolated but could not be maintained beyond three generations, preventing pathogenicity testing.
  • Typical poliomyelitis lesions were not produced in rabbits by injecting poliomyelitic virus or streptococci.

Conclusions:

  • The study did not establish an etiological relationship between streptococci and poliomyelitis.
  • The observed presence of streptococci in poliomyelitic monkeys appears coincidental and not causative.
  • Further research is needed to identify the causative agent of poliomyelitis and understand the role of other microorganisms.

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