Enteroviral Etiology of the Paralytic Poliomyelitis Syndrome

Abstract

Virological investigations of patients in Scotland with poliomyelitis-like paralysis showed near-disappearance of paralytic poliovirus infections after general vaccination and persistence of a few paralytic infections with other enteroviruses. Coxsackieviruses, especially of type A7, were mainly involved, but no enterovirus had presented a serious or increasing threat. Because of occasional importation of virulent poliovirus and some continued circulation of virus in the population, it remains important to continue surveillance and maintain vaccination at a high level.