[Poliomyelitis surveillance: seroepidemiologic study on a Piedmont population sample]

In order to assess the immunity/receptivity towards the three poliovirus strains, a sample representative of the sex and age composition of the resident population in Piedmont at census 1981, was examined. For each subject data were collected in order to identify the population from social-ambient point of view. For the evaluation of antibodie's title to poliovirus 1, 2, 3, the serums were analyzed with the neutralization method using the microtitolation plates and epithelial larynx cancer cells (HEp-2), like revealing system. The samples with > or = 2 title were considered positives for specific antibodies. To determine the relation between presence/absence of specific poliovirus antibodies and the other variables, a multiple logistic regression was fitted and the odds ratio was calculated. The results of our study show an immunity in all age groups, underlying a herd immunity condition. Furthermore the incomplete antibodies response to the three poliovirus strains seems to be influenced by age only.