A80

Acute poliomyelitis

Acute infectious disease of humans, particularly children, caused by any of three serotypes of human poliovirus; infection is usually limited to the gastrointestinal tract and nasopharynx, and is often asymptomatic; the central nervous system, primarily the spinal cord, may be affected, leading to rapidly progressive paralysis, coarse fasciculation and hyporeflexia; motor neurons are primarily affected and encephalitis may also occur; replicates in the nervous system, and may cause significant neuronal loss, most notably in the spinal cord.

An acute infectious disease of humans, particularly children, caused by any of three serotypes of human poliovirus poliovirus). Usually the infection is limited to the gastrointestinal tract and nasopharynx, and is often asymptomatic. The central nervous system, primarily the spinal cord, may be affected, leading to rapidly progressive paralysis, coarse fasciculation and hyporeflexia. Motor neurons are primarily affected. Encephalitis may also occur. The virus replicates in the nervous system, and may cause significant neuronal loss, most notably in the spinal cord. A rare related condition, nonpoliovirus poliomyelitis, may result from infections with nonpoliovirus enteroviruses. from Adams et al., Principles of Neurology, 6th ed, pp764-5)

An acute infectious disorder that affects the nervous system. It is caused by the poliovirus. The virus spreads by direct contact, and can be prevented by prophylaxis with the polio vaccine.