Sketchy Micro: (Pico) Polio Virus

Question 1

Polio is what kind of virus?

Answer 1

• Positive-sense ssRNA (sun over the Polio flamingo pool)

* Naked (statue of David next to Pico Petting Zoo entrance)

Question 2

Polio is a part of the ________ sub-type of the Picornavirus family.

Answer 2

Enterovirus (like the “ENTER the aviary” sign)

Question 3

Polio is ______-stable.

Answer 3

acid (hence it can be transmitted fecal-oral)

Think of the yellow acid that the flamingo has avoided by standing on the little island.

Question 4

Where does Polio replicate?

Answer 4

In lymph nodes of the GI tract, such as the tonsils and Peyer’s patches

(Think of the eggs along the edge of the habitat that look like lymph nodes.)

Question 5

What is the incubation period of polio?

Answer 5

2-3 weeks (like the sign that says breeding season is 2-3 weeks)

Question 6

From the lymph tissue, Polio proceeds to the ___________ where it causes its worst symptoms.

Answer 6

anterior horn of the spinal cord

Think of the bird with the large anterior horn.

Question 7

What kind of paralysis does Polio cause?

Answer 7

Asymmetric (which is why Sketchy picked the flamingo – they frequently stand on just one leg!)

Question 8

Like all of the Enteroviruses, Polio can cause _____________.

Answer 8

aseptic meningitis; in fact, the Enteroviruses are the number one cause of viral meningitis

(Think of the little kid with the space helmet in the lower-right corner of the image.)

Question 9

Describe the two vaccines given for Polio.

Answer 9

• Salk: killed vaccine given parenterally (like the emo kid SuLKing with the skull and syringes on his shirt)
• Sabin: live vaccine given orally (like the donation stand with the sign “SAvIN’ a life”)

Question 10

Which kind of vaccine creates more types of Ig?

Answer 10

The Sabin vaccine stimulates both IgG and IgA production (like the A in “savin’ A life”), while the Salk vaccine stimulates just IgG.