Paralysis Case and Contact Spread of Recombinant Vaccine–derived Poliovirus, Spain
2008

Paralysis Case and Contact Spread of Vaccine-derived Poliovirus in Spain

Sample size: 10 publication Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Avellón Ana, Cabrerizo Maria, de Miguel Teresa, Pérez-Breña Pilar, Tenorio Antonio, Pérez Jose Luis, Martínez de Aragón Maria Victoria, Trallero Gloria

Primary Institution: Instituto de Salud Carlos III National Centre of Microbiology, Madrid, Spain

Hypothesis

Can vaccine-derived polioviruses spread and cause paralysis in immunocompetent individuals?

Conclusion

The study highlights the risk of vaccine-derived polioviruses causing paralysis in immunocompromised individuals and spreading to contacts.

Supporting Evidence

  • Vaccine-derived polioviruses can replicate in immunocompromised individuals and cause paralysis.
  • The patient had a high viral load, which decreased after immunoglobulin therapy.
  • Three family contacts were found to shed the virus, indicating potential spread.

Takeaway

A boy in Spain got sick from a virus that came from a vaccine, and it spread to some of his family members.

Methodology

The study involved monitoring a patient with paralysis, analyzing stool samples, and conducting environmental surveillance.

Limitations

Technical problems delayed sewage sampling, which may have affected the detection of viruses.

Participant Demographics

The main participant was a 14-month-old boy with immunodeficiency, and family contacts included two brothers aged 11 and 13.

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.3201/eid1411.080517

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