Analysis of live, oral poliovirus vaccine monopools for human immunodeficiency virus type 1 and simian immunodeficiency virus

Abstract

Although there is no evidence for transmission of mammalian retroviruses to humans via vaccine immunization, the allegations of contamination of oral poliovirus vaccines with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) type 1 or a hypothetical progenitor virus from monkeys has created controversy and dispute regarding the origin of AIDS in humans. Twelve monovalent lots of live, attenuated oral poliovirus vaccine types 1, 2, and 3, which were released for use by a North American manufacturer between 1976-1989, were tested for the presence of HIV-1 and simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV). HIV/SIV were not detected in these monovalent poliovirus vaccine lots with the reverse transcriptase assay, a general detection assay, and highly sensitive and specific polymerase chain reaction assays.