Acute poliomyelitis

Acute Poliomyelitis is an infectious disease caused by the poliovirus. It is primarily spread through the fecal-oral route and occasionally through contaminated food or water. The disease is characterized by acute flaccid paralysis that can lead to permanent disability or death.

Etiology

The causative agent of acute poliomyelitis is the poliovirus, a member of the Enterovirus genus in the Picornaviridae family. There are three serotypes of poliovirus: PV1, PV2, and PV3, each of which can cause disease in humans.

Pathogenesis

The poliovirus enters the body through the mouth and multiplies in the pharynx and intestinal tract. It then enters the bloodstream and can invade the central nervous system where it replicates in motor neurons within the spinal cord, brainstem, or motor cortex. This leads to cell death and causes the characteristic symptoms of acute poliomyelitis.

Clinical Features

The majority of poliovirus infections are asymptomatic. However, in a small percentage of cases, the virus can invade the central nervous system and cause acute poliomyelitis. Symptoms can range from minor illness (fever, fatigue, headache, vomiting, stiffness in the neck, and pain in the limbs) to severe and disabling paralysis.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis of acute poliomyelitis is based on clinical features and confirmed by laboratory testing. The poliovirus can be isolated from stool samples or throat swabs. Serological tests can also be used to detect antibodies against the virus.

Treatment and Prevention

There is no cure for acute poliomyelitis. Treatment is supportive and aimed at relieving symptoms. Prevention is through vaccination with either inactivated poliovirus vaccine (IPV) or oral poliovirus vaccine (OPV).

Epidemiology

Acute poliomyelitis has been eradicated in most parts of the world through extensive vaccination campaigns. However, it remains endemic in a few countries.

See Also

• Poliomyelitis
• Post-polio syndrome
• Poliovirus vaccine