Journal of Vaccine Research 2024, Vol.14, No.1, 17-26 http://medscipublisher.com/index.php/jvr 18 1 Research on Polio Vaccines 1.1 Disease overview Polio is an acute infectious disease caused by the poliovirus, primarily affecting children. The poliovirus belongs to the enterovirus genus and is an RNA virus. Humans beings are the only natural host for this virus, and infection can lead to different types of clinical presentations, including spinal cord poliomyelitis and brainstem poliomyelitis. Spinal cord poliomyelitis is the most common clinical presentation and with its main symptoms being limb paralysis, respiratory muscle weakness, and pain. Brainstem poliomyelitis, on the other hand, is rarer but often results in severe neurological complications and death. Polio is mainly transmitted through respiratory droplets or contact. Following infection, the virus replicates in the intestines and spreads to the nervous system through lymphatic channels and the bloodstream, causing neuronal damage and inflammatory reactions. The virus replicates and spreads rapidly, and once infected, it proliferates continuously, spreading rapidly throughout the body's organs and tissues, with the most severe damage occurring to the central nervous system (Figure 1). Figure 1 Shows leg abnormalities caused by spinal cord poliovirus infection (Source: https://www.crrc.com.cn/Html/News/Ar ticles/21166.html) Currently, poliomyelitis remains an important issue in the field of public health globally. Despite a significant reduction in the number of polio cases worldwide due to the promotion and widespread use of polio vaccines, this disease still poses certain risks and challenges. Particularly in impoverished regions and developing countries, the number of polio cases remains relatively high due to limitations in healthcare infrastructure and vaccine coverage. Poliomyelitis is a severe infectious disease that can have a profound impact on human health and lives. Although effective vaccines and control strategies are currently in place, cooperation and efforts from the Global Health Organization, governments, and scientists are still needed in the global process of controlling and eliminating polio. Only through global cooperation and joint efforts can we achieve the control and eradication of polio worldwide and make a greater contribution to the health and well-being of humanity. 1.2 Early research and development of polio vaccines Early research on polio vaccines can be traced back to the 1930s. At that time, poliomyelitis was still a deadly infectious disease, particularly posing a greater threat to children. Against this backdrop, many scientists and medical experts began efforts to find more effective methods of prevention and treatment. One of the earliest researchers was the American vaccine scientist Jonas Salk. In the 1930s, Salk began researching methods for developing inactivated polio vaccines. His research focused on chemically inactivating the virus to make it a safe and effective vaccine. With Salk's efforts, they have developed an inactivated vaccine against polio, that could stimulate the human body's immune response, effectively preventing poliomyelitis.
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MjQ4ODYzNQ==