Healthy persons, when infected with poliovirus, typically clear the infection within 4 weeks. However, persons with primary immune deficiency disorders (PID), especially those affecting the B-cell system, are at substantially increased risk of paralytic poliomyelitis and chronic poliovirus excretion if exposed to live poliovirus (i.e., from live oral poliovirus vaccine). These individuals will constitute the only remaining reservoir of poliovirus after eradication; they may become sources of poliovirus outbreaks and delay certification of poliovirus eradication.
In his presentation, Dr. Ondrej Mach described experience with detection and treatment of chronic poliovirus excretors among PIDs; and discussed how regional PID societies might help global polio eradication program in identifying potential poliovirus excretors.