Maltese with genetic susceptibility to poliomyelitis: Many cases of paralysis are related, posing a dilemma for post- eradication of polio

This is the first study of genetic susceptibility to paralytic poliomyelitis in a defined population over more than one epidemic. All 1,072 cases of Maltese with poliomyelitis in the islands of Malta from 1909 to 1964, and baptism matched controls, were traced to their great grand-parents or beyond. All marriages were checked for consanguinity. Many cases were closely related with many consanguineous marriages of parents and forebears. At least 54% of the 958 polios on Malta (excluding Gozo) were related as sibs and first and second cousins in several kinship groups. These family groups of polios show genetic susceptibility to poliomyelitis and pose a dilemma for post-eradication of polio. Correspondence to: Wyatt HV, Visiting Fellow in Philosophy, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9HD, UK, Tel: +44 (0)113 264 6679; E-mail: [email protected]