Isolation of poliovirus from cases of acute flaccid paralysis.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the frequency of isolation of polio and other viruses from fecal samples in subjects with acute flaccid paralysis in northern parts of India.

SETTING

Rural and Urban Immunization Centers used for Expanded Programme on Immunization.

METHODS

219 fecal samples were collected by anal tube in 1992 from Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh and Chandigarh and processed for virus isolation.

RESULTS

Of 219 fecal samples, 103 (47%) were positive for viruses in the age group of 3 mo to 5 yr. Amongst the positive samples, the predominant isolated was poliovirus type 1 (70.9%) from all the States. Non polio enteroviruses were isolated from 20.4% of fecal samples.

CONCLUSION

Even though poliovirus is still the most common etiologic agent for acute flaccid paralysis in northern India, non polio enteroviruses are also emerging as important causal pathogens in this condition.