The Recovery of Poliomyelitis Virus from the Stools of Experimentally Infected Monkeys and Chimpanzees

Abstract

Following the inoculation of various strains of poliomyelitis virus into monkeys and chimpanzees by various parenteral routes, virus has been detected in the stools of seven primate species. Finding poliomyelitis virus in stools and intestinal contents in the monkey or chimpanzee is not sufficient evidence to point to the mouth as the portal of entry. The experiments do not indicate however whether the virus may be excreted first into the upper part of the alimentary tract and subsequently find its way to the intestines. In each of two chimpanzees a “healthy” carrier state lasting two and four weeks respectively developed following intracutaneous inoculation of the SK strain. A third chimpanzee that became a virus carrier had only slight transitory symptoms in the second week following inoculation. Virus appeared in the stools of some animals before any symptoms of the disease in the central nervous system were apparent.