Research Journal of Medicine and Medical Sciences, 2(1): 25-28, 2007 © 2007, INSInet Publication Corresponding Author: Oderinde Bamidele Soji, WHO. National Polio Laboratory, Medical Microbiology Department, University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital (UMTH), P.M.B. 1414 Maiduguri. Borno State. Nigeria. Tel / Fax: 234 76 235668, E-mail: sojihunter@yahoo.com 25 Non-polio Enteroviruses Implicated in Acute Flaccid Paralysis in Northern Nigeria. Oderinde Bamidele Soji, Olabode Atanda Olayinka, Harry Tekena Obu, Baba Marycelin Mandu, 1 2 3 4 Bukbuk David Nadeba and Ogunmola Olamide Olayinka 5 6 WHO National Polio Laboratory, Medical Microbiology Department, 1,6 University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital (UMTH), Maiduguri, Borno State, Nigeria. WHO National Polio Laboratory, College of Medical Sciences, University of Maiduguri, 3,4 Borno State, Nigeria. WHO National Polio Laboratory, Department of Microbiology, 5 University of Maiduguri, Borno State, Nigeria. Virology Department, Federal College of Veterinary and Medical Laboratory Sciences (FCVMLS), 2 National Veterinary Research Institute (NVRI), Vom. Plateau State. Nigeria. Abstract: Out of 4171 stool samples collected from 2097 children with acute flaccid paralysis (AFP) in 10 northern states of Nigeria in 2002 and 2003,307 (14.6%) cases had non-polio enteroviruses (NPEVs) isolated from their faeces using RD and L20B cell lines. During the sixty days follow-up after onset of AFP, 24 (7.8%) of 307 cases had residual paralysis. Identification of the NPEVs associated with cases that had residual paralysis revealed coxsackie B, echovirus, 3, 4, 7, 12, 13, 27, 29 and 33 respectively with 1 (4.2%) mixtures of coxsackie B and echovirus, 13 (54.2%)echovirus, 6 (25%) indeterminates and 4 (16.7%) negatives resulting due to loss of virus in storage.It is advocated that, as preventive initiative is intensified on poliovirus with provision of portable water and creating awareness on the importance of hygiene in endemic communities, the NPEVs infection rate will reduce drastically. Keywords: Non polio enteroviruses, acute flaccid paralysis, cell culture, virus isolation, microneutralization tests, virus identification. INTRODUCTION Non-polio enteroviruses (NPEVs) belongs to the family picornaviridae and genus, enterovirus. They comprise_coxsackieviruses A1- A24 (no A23), B1- B6, Echovirus 1-34 (no 10 or 28); and Enteroviruses 68- [1,2] 71 . They cause a wide spectrum of diseases that can [3] involve any organ with severity from life – threatening with a significant morbidity to mild subclinical infections . NPEVs are primarily spread by the [4] faecal- oral route and are common in children but adults can also be infected. For instance, Echovirus has been implicated in multiple human disease syndrome, including paralysis . The World Health Organisation [5] reports revealed that from 1967 to 1970, paralysis was present in less than 1% of all patients with echovirus and coxsackievirus infections . Moreover, 12 patients [6] with residual paralysis of 77 AFP cases due to coxsackieviruses have been reported in Scotland from 1956 to 1973 . Although the majority of the AFP [7] cases are mild and transient, persistent muscle weakness or total paralysis or even death has been reported . However not all Poliovirus or NPEVs [8] induced AFP end in residual paralysis, but outbreaks of infections with NPEVs is worldwide, affecting many countries . There [9] is scarcity of information on the role of NPEVs among AFP cases with residual paralysis in Nigeria. Therefore this study was designed to assess children with NPEVs induced AFP that ended up with residual paralysis. MATERIALS AND METHODS The study area was restricted to 10 northern states of Nigeria (Figure1.) with a total of 234 Local Government Areas. These states were designated by WHO for the National Polio Laboratory, Maiduguri, Nigeria in the Polio Eradication Programme. The methods adopted for AFP surveillance and Laboratory testing of faecal specimens isolation and isolation and typing of isolates were as described in the WHO Polio Laboratory Manual, 2004. In brief, Surveillance Officers and Pediatricians collected two faecal specimens per AFP case, 24 hours apart and within 14 days of the onset of paralysis, and were sent in jablow box with ice packs to preserve the cold chain to