Key Points
- Determine whether human nasal and pharyngeal secretions can neutralize the poliomyelitis virus and evaluate the physiological and biochemical properties of the neutralizing agent.
- Conducted 56 neutralization experiments mixing human nasal and pharyngeal mucosal washings with active poliomyelitis virus.
- Evaluated secretions across varied clinical states, including acute poliomyelitis infection, convalescence, upper respiratory inflammation, and after immune serum administration.
- Assessed chemical properties of the neutralizing factor, including water solubility, heat tolerance (thermolability), inorganic composition, and reliance on mucin.
- Nasal and pharyngeal washings demonstrated consistent neutralization of active poliomyelitis virus across 56 experiments, though activity fluctuated within individuals and diminished during airway inflammation.
- Neutralizing activity was absent during the initial days of acute infection in an untreated child, but was present on day 15 of convalescence and following immune serum administration.
- The active neutralizing agent was determined to be water-soluble, non-inorganic, and thermolabile, operating independently of mucin content.
Structured PICO
Do nasal and pharyngeal washings possess the power to neutralize the poliomyelitis virus?
PPopulationNasal and pharyngeal washings from humans (adults and children, including cases of poliomyelitis)
IInterventionExposure of poliomyelitis virus to nasal washings
OOutcomeInactivation or neutralization of the active virus of poliomyelitissurrogate
Nasal and pharyngeal secretions contain a water-soluble, thermolabile substance capable of neutralizing the poliomyelitis virus, which may play a role in defense against infection or the carrier state.
Limitations
- Too few tests have been made thus far to ascertain whether adults and children differ with respect to the existence of this neutralizing property