Poliomyelitis: immune status of the populotion of Kuwait

ABSTRACT

A comprehensive program to immunize children against polioviruses was started in Kuwait in 1976. This report is the first laboratory study aimed at investigating the immune status of the population of Kuwait to polioviruses. By using a virus neutralization procedure, the prevalence and the titer of poliovirus-specific antibodies were determined in 759 serum samples. Samples represented the following age groups 0-1 months, 1-9 years, 10-19 years, 20-29 years, 30-39 years and 40-60 years. The first two age groups, during which the polio vaccinations are given, were studied in detail. Results allow for the following conclusions: [1] Monovalent [type 1] polio vaccine, given at birth, has an impact on the early development of immunity. It prevents the drop in the [maternal] antibody level during the first 2 months of life. [2] Immunity to all three types of polioviruses reaches a high level at the age of 5-6 months. [3] Both the prevalence and the level of antibody remain high in older age groups. The data reported here prove that the use of trivalent oral polio vaccine along with an efficient vaccination coverage has led to the complete elimination of paralytic poliomyelitis in Kuwait. Maintaining the polio-free status requires laboratory monitoring of the antibody level and nature of circulating poliovirus strains