REINFECTION (SECOND ATTACK) IN EXPERIMENTAL POLIOMYELITIS

Monkeys which have recovered from an attack of experimental poliomyelitis are subject to reinfection by the nasal route.

Second attacks of the disease result from inoculation with the specimen of virus used to produce the first attack and with specimens of different origin.

Reinfection takes place in monkeys which have recovered from mild and from severe attacks and in convalescent animals which have been subjected to hyperimmunization.

The 2 year quiet period proposed by Still to separate relapses from second attacks, judging from the monkey, is probably excessive. Until greater attention is given the reinfections of varying intensities in man, conclusions on this point must be wholly tentative.