[Status of immunity against poliomyelitis. Polio serosurvey in 1993]

For the first time immunity against polio was analysed for the populations of both the former "East" and "West" parts of Germany, which had previously been regularly monitored separately. 10 centres for virological diagnosis collaborated. All sera were obtained between May and October 1993, a total of 3266 sera from 8 age groups. The microneutralization test was used to demonstrate antibodies against the three polio virus types. The following antibody frequencies (range in the different age groups) were found: against polio type 1, 91-93%; type 2, 93-95%; type 3, 79-81%. The seroprevalence of antibodies against polio virus types 1 and 2 of over 90% indicates good population immunity. As for virus type 3, the threshold value of 80% was exceeded in some regions. 72-75% of those tested had a neutralising antibody titre of > or = 1:4 against all three polio virus types, while in 1-2% no antibodies were found. Overall conclusion is that the relatively low state of immunity against polio virus 3 should be carefully monitored in some regions.