Poliovirus

Abstract

Poliovirus is the best studied picornavirus that causes disease of the central nervous system. There are three serotypes of poliovirus which are classified in the species Enterovirus C within the genus Enterovirus. This chapter explores the biology of poliovirus, pathogenesis, and control. The structure of the capsid, the nature of the genome, its expression in cells, proteolytic processing, RNA replication, and packaging are discussed to illustrate the reproduction of the virus in a single cell. Next, we consider general features of the pathogenesis of poliomyelitis, including host range, entry into the host, spread in the host, tropism, and histopathology. In the last section we discuss the two vaccines available to treat poliomyelitis, the imminent eradication of disease, and the problems associated with cessation of vaccination. Poliovirus has been studied for over 100 years, first as the etiologic agent of a significant human disease, then as a model for RNA virus infections of the central nervous system. If the eradication of poliomyelitis succeeds, shortly afterwards it will be necessary to halt work with virulent strains of poliovirus, a step that will severely curtail research on the pathogenesis of poliomyelitis. After so much work by so many on this virus, destruction of poliovirus strains will be done with some sadness but with the understanding that it is the correct course of action.