Haematogenous spread of poliomyelitis virus

Summary In rhesus monkeys inoculated intramuscularly with the Leon strain of poliomyelitis virus, the agent could be recovered from the blood during the first five days of the incubation period. It was apparently associated with the blood cells. It was also demonstrable in the inoculated muscle during the first 7 days. Moreover, virus was present in the sciatic nerves and in the regional lymphnodes. The significance of these findings in relation to the mechanism of infection, and in relation to the possibility of active or passive immunization is discussed. Aided by a grant from the Dr Simon Baruch Foundation and from the National Health Research Council T.N.O.