OBSOLETE: Poliomyelitis in patients with immunodeficiencies deemed at risk

This entry refers to poliomyelitis (polio) that occurs specifically in people who have weakened immune systems (immunodeficiencies) and who are considered at higher risk for developing the disease. Polio is caused by the poliovirus, which attacks the nervous system and can lead to muscle weakness or paralysis. In people with healthy immune systems, vaccination has made polio extremely rare. However, individuals with certain immune deficiencies — particularly those affecting antibody production — may not be able to mount a proper immune response to the oral polio vaccine (OPV), which contains a live but weakened virus. In these vulnerable patients, the vaccine virus can persist in the body, mutate, and eventually cause vaccine-derived poliomyelitis. This condition can affect the spinal cord and brainstem, leading to limb paralysis, breathing difficulties, and in severe cases, life-threatening complications. It is important to note that this Orphanet entry is marked as OBSOLETE, meaning it may have been reclassified or merged into other disease categories. The condition highlights the intersection of primary immunodeficiency disorders and infectious disease risk. Symptoms can include sudden onset of limb weakness, muscle pain, difficulty swallowing, and respiratory failure. Treatment is largely supportive, as there is no antiviral cure for poliovirus infection. Management focuses on physical rehabilitation, respiratory support, and addressing the underlying immune deficiency through immunoglobulin replacement therapy. Prevention through use of inactivated polio vaccine (IPV) instead of oral polio vaccine in immunodeficient individuals is a critical public health strategy.

Data sourced from FDA regulatory filings and ClinicalTrials.gov. Updated periodically.

Bring these to your next appointment

• Q1.What type of immunodeficiency does my child or I have, and how does it increase the risk of polio?,Should all family members receive the inactivated polio vaccine instead of the oral vaccine?,How often will immunoglobulin replacement therapy be needed, and what are the side effects?,What signs of worsening should I watch for that would require emergency care?,What physical therapy or rehabilitation options are available to maximize recovery?,Is genetic testing recommended for other family members to check for the same immune deficiency?,Are there any clinical trials or new treatments being studied for this condition?

Common questions about OBSOLETE: Poliomyelitis in patients with immunodeficiencies deemed at risk