Abstract
Summary and Conclusions
Early in 1951, an epidemic of poliomyelitis occurred in Tahiti during which Type 1 virus was recovered from feces of a paralytic case. Tests on 131 serum samples collected from inhabitants of Tahiti and others of the Society Islands, during and after the outbreak, yielded the following results: 1. A higher percentage of Type 3 than of Types 1 and 2 neutralizing antibodies was found in sera from persons living in the outer Society Islands. On the other hand, higher percentages of neutralizing antibodies against Type 1 and 2 viruses were present in sera of residents of Tahiti during and after paralytic attacks of poliomyelitis than in normal serums from the outer islands. 2. After the epidemic, complement-fixing antibodies for Type 2 virus were present in sera of individuals from the outer islands, and in even higher percentages in sera of post-paralytic patients in Tahiti. Since complement-fixing antibodies to Type 2 virus may indicate serologic response to the heterologous Type 1 virus, widespread dissemination of Type 1 virus probably occurred at this time. 3. These observations suggest that immunity to poliomyelitis in the Society Islands prior to the epidemic of 1951 was greater to Type 3 virus, and that the outbreak resulted from recent introduction of Type 1 virus, a new type for the area. It is possible that Type 2 virus was present coincidentally.
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