Abstract
Objective. To describe a case of vaccine associated paralytic poliomyelitis (VAPP) and relate
this to current UK immunization policy.
Method. A case report in which the clinical course and factors leading to the diagnosis
are described and then related to reports of paralytic poliomyelitis in the literature.
Results. The child in this case was left severely disabled by paralytic poliomyelitis. The
pathological process was related to a pararectal abscess needing urgent drainage shortly
after immunisation.
Conclusion. The skeletal muscle damage due to the presence of the pararectal abscess may have
acted as the ‘provocation’ in the development of poliomyelitis. Adoption of a policy
of initial vaccination by the parenteral route as in the USA and European countries
has been shown to greatly reduce this risk. The UK could adopt this policy which would
minimise the risk of VAPP, as all recorded paralytic poliomyelitis in the UK in the
last decade has been vaccine related.
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Accepted:
January 12,
2003
Identification
Copyright
© 2003 The British Infection Society. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
