Abstract
The pathogenesis of the postpolio syndrome (PPS) remains unclear. In this study we looked for poliovirus (PV) persistence in the CSF of 20 patients with PPS, in a control group including 20 patients with unrelated neurological diseases, and in 7 patients with stable poliomyelitis sequelae. CSF samples and sera were examined using reverse transcriptase–polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) for the detection of PV or other enterovirus genomes; this assay allows the detection from as little as 1 fg viral RNA. Sequencing of amplified products from 5 patients was performed. PV genomic sequences were detected in the CSF of 11 of 20 patients with PPS and in none of the control group. Sequencing in the 5′ untranslated region confirmed the presence of mutated PV sequences. These findings suggest that PPS is related to the persistence of PV in the central nervous system.
Similar content being viewed by others
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
Received: 16 June 1998 Received in revised form: 29 October 1998 Accepted: 8 November 1998
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Julien, J., Leparc-Goffart, I., Lina, B. et al. Postpolio syndrome: poliovirus persistence is involved in the pathogenesis. J Neurol 246, 472–476 (1999). https://doi.org/10.1007/s004150050386
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s004150050386