The possibility has been raised of post-polio syndrome being caused by a chronic poliovirus infection. Attributing post-polio syndrome to persistent poliovirus or to a reactivation of poliovirus has generally been rejected, based on an analysis of available antibody studies (Jubelt et al., 1995). The significance of poliovirus RNA fragments found in survivors with post-polio syndrome is unknown (Leon-Monzon & Dalakas, 1995). Antonio Toniolo did study this question further. He found enterovirus (polio is an enterovirus) RNA fragments primarily in post-polio syndrome patients. However, he concluded that “so far, it has not been possible to completely sequence the PV (polio virus) genome (in PPS patients) and to demonstrate that the persisting (polio)virus plays a role in the development of this progressive disorder (PPS)” (Baj et al., 2015).
Research continues in this area because the possibility and the consequences of a persistent infection caused by an enterovirus involving the central nervous system is of considerable interest.
References
Baj, A., Colombo, M., Headley, J. L., McFarlane, J. R., Liethof, M. A., & Toniolo, A. (2015). Post-poliomyelitis syndrome as a possible viral disease. International journal of infectious diseases, 35, 107–116.
Jubelt, B., Salazar-Grueso, E.F., Roos, R.P., & Cashman, N.R. (1995). Antibody titer to the poliovirus in blood and cerebrospinal fluid of patients with post-polio syndrome. In M.C. Dalakas, H. Bartfeld, & LT. Kurland (Eds.), The post-polio syndrome: Advances in the pathogenesis and treatment (pp. 201-207). New York, NY: New York Academy of Sciences.
Leon-Monzon, M.E., & Dalakas, M.C. (1995). Detection of poliovirus antibodies and poliovirus genome in patients with the post-polio syndrome. In M.C. Dalakas, H. Bartfeld, & LT. Kurland (Eds.), The post-polio syndrome: Advances in the pathogenesis and treatment (pp. 208-218). New York, NY: New York Academy of Sciences.