SURVIVAL OF THE VIRUS OF POLIOMYELITIS IN THE ORAL AND NASAL SECRETION OF CONVALESCENTS

Area of Science:

• Virology
• Epidemiology
• Public Health

Background:

• Poliomyelitis virus detection is crucial for disease control.
• Understanding virus shedding duration informs public health interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the presence of poliovirus in nasal secretions.
• To evaluate the efficacy of the current 3-week quarantine period.

Main Methods:

• Detection of poliovirus in nasal secretions from two children.
• Inoculation of animal models with concentrated nasal secretions.
• Histological examination and virus neutralization assays.

Main Results:

• Poliovirus detected in nasal secretions 13 and 16 days post-illness onset.
• Animals showed symptoms suggestive of poliomyelitis; histological findings were compatible but not typical.
• One monkey serum, from inoculation with 43-day-old secretions, neutralized poliovirus.

Conclusions:

• The 3-week quarantine period for poliomyelitis appears compatible with current findings.
• The described methods may aid future investigations into poliovirus transmission.