Once isolated, RT-PCR is used to differentiate naturally occurring strains from vaccine-like strains. Prevention
The virus is most often spread by person to person contact with the stool or saliva of the infected person. Two types of vaccines have been developed to prevent the occurrence and spread of the poliomyelitis virus. The first is an inactivated, or killed, form of the virus and the second is an attenuated, or weakened, form of the virus. The development of vaccines has successfully eliminated the disease from the United States. There are continued vaccination efforts in the U.S. to maintain this success rate as this disease still occurs in some areas of the world. Treatment
There is no cure for polioencephalitis so prevention is essential. Many people that become infected will not develop symptoms and their prognosis is excellent. However, the prognosis is dependent on the amount of cellular damage done by the virus and the area of the brain affected. Many people that develop more severe symptoms can have lifelong disabilities or it can lead to death. Supportive treatments include bed rest, pain relievers, and a nutritious diet. Many drugs have been used to treat psychiatric symptoms such as Clonazepam for insomnia and Desvenlafaxine or Citalopram for depressed mood. Recent research
Research into the mechanism of this disease stalled with the development of the vaccines in the mid-twentieth century. However, with the recent identification of the cell surface receptor CD155 new interest has resurfaced in this disease.
Familial cutaneous collagenoma is an autosomal dominant genetic disorder characterized by the presence of multiple symmetric nodules on the trunk and upper arms in multiple members of the same family. The nodules are flesh-colored, asymptomatic, and they start appearing during adolescent years.It has been described in 10 families worldwide.These nodules are caused by an overgrowth of collagen fibers with an accompanying decreased number of elastic fibers.In some cases, this condition is associated with anomalies in other parts of the body. Genetics
In a 2-generation Israeli Jewish family (whose affected members were two biological cousins), Hershkovitz et al. found a heterozygous mutation in the LEMD3 gene in both cousins and in the unaffected father of one of them. Possibly related complications
In 1968, Henderson et al. described 3 American brothers with the condition, and found that each one of them had health complications: the first brother suffered from idiopathic cardiomyopathy, the second suffered from iris atrophy of the left eye with accompanying severe high-frequency deafness, and the third suffered from recurrent vasculitis. == References ==