Provocation poliomyelitis: vaccine associated paralytic
poliomyelitis related to a rectal abscess in an infant
A. R. J. Bosley, , a,
Gail Speirsb and N. I. Markhamc
a Department of Paediatrics, North Devon District Hospital, Raleigh
Park, Barnstaple, North Devon, UK b Department of Microbiology, North Devon District Hospital, Raleigh
Park, Barnstaple, North Devon, UK c Department of Surgery, North Devon District Hospital, Raleigh Park,
Barnstaple, North Devon, UK
Accepted 12 January 2003. ; Available online 29 March 2003.
Abstract
Objective. To describe a case of vaccine associated paralytic
poliomyelitis (VAPP) and relate this to current UK immunization policy.
Method. A case report in which the clinical course and factors
leading to the diagnosis are described and then related to reports of
paralytic poliomyelitis in the literature.
Results. The child in this case was left severely disabled by
paralytic poliomyelitis. The pathological process was related to a
pararectal abscess needing urgent drainage shortly after immunisation.
Conclusion. The skeletal muscle damage due to the presence of
the pararectal abscess may have acted as the `provocation' in the
development of poliomyelitis. Adoption of a policy of initial vaccination
by the parenteral route as in the USA and European countries has been
shown to greatly reduce this risk. The UK could adopt this policy which
would minimise the risk of VAPP, as all recorded paralytic poliomyelitis
in the UK in the last decade has been vaccine related.
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