Is poliomyelitis an auto-allergic disease triggered by virus?

The neuropathology of poliomyelitis is reviewed and the reasons for the inflammatory response are examined. It is concluded that the response is due to the release of a previously sequestered self-antigen from virus infected or damaged cells. The inflammation is consistent with an auto-allergic response by lymphocytes senitised before the viral infection. A model for the mechanism of genetic susceptibility is proposed. Simultaneous infection with other enterovirus, the incubation period of paralytic poliomyelitis and the case and fatality rates with the Kolmer and Cutter vaccines are examined with this auto-allergic model. Second attacks of poliomyelitis are reviewed and the reduced severity of the second attack is attributed to the action of blocking antibody. The model is examined with reference to ECHO, Coxsackie and other viral infections of the CNS. The use of blocking antibody as a therapeutic agent is considered.