Robert K. Gerloff

Naturally occurring poliomyelitis antibody in Hamilton, Montana.

SEROLOGIC SURVEYS have been useful for epidemiological study of many diseases, detection of their occurrences in communities, and determination of the immune status of populations to such diseases. They have been especially applicable to studies of poliomyelitis, and, for this particular disease, have been greatly enhanced by the development of simplified, tissue-culture tests for neutralizing antibody. Among the more extensive poliomyelitis investigations in the United States is the one of Melnick and his associates (1) made in Charleston, S. C., and Phoenix, Ariz. Fox and his associates (2) have thoroughly studied three communities in Louisiana. The survey reported here was conducted in a rural community in western Montana. Data portraying incidence of poliomyelitis antibody in this area emphasize particularly the relationship between age and prevalence of antibody, relationship between age and antibody titer, and intrafamilial spread of poliovirus.