Seroepidemiology of the poliovirus in Monrovia (Liberia).

Neutralizing antibodies against poliovirus have been studied in 265 persons in Monrovia (Liberia). 34% of the individuals studied possessed antibodies against the three polioviruses, 23% against two, 26% against one; the remaining 17% showed none. The three poliovirus antibodies were evenly distributed amongst the population, although there was an indication that antibodies to polio 2 occurred more commonly in females than in males. The distribution of the antibodies did not seem to be influenced by place of residence, source of drinking water or social class. Significant variations in the immunological state according to age were noted. The study of concordance and discordance of antibody titre in the blood of neonates and their mothers revealed that the lower percentage of titre concordance for polio 3 has no statistical value. The low titre in the neonates (an average for each poliovirus scarcely above 1:16) is a sign of insufficient titre in the adults. The need for a massive antipoliomyelitis campaign among infants and adult women is stressed.