Flaccid paralysis (pronounced /ˈflæksɪd pəˈræləsɪs/) a clinical manifestation characterized by weakness or paralysis and reduced muscle tone without other obvious cause (e.g., trauma).^[1]

[edit] Causes

[edit] Polio

The term acute flaccid paralysis (AFP) is often used to describe a sudden onset, as might be found with polio.

AFP is the most common sign of acute polio, and used for surveillance during polio outbreaks. AFP is also associated with a number of other pathogenic agents including enteroviruses, echoviruses, and adenoviruses, among others.^[2]

[edit] Botulism

The Clostridium botulinum bacteria are the cause of botulism. Vegetative cells of C. botulinum may be ingested. Introduction of the bacteria may also occur via endospores in a wound. When the bacteria is in vivo, they induce flaccid paralysis. This happens because C. botulinum produces a toxin which blocks the release of acetylcholine. When this occurs, the muscles are unable to contract.^[3]

[edit] Other

Flaccid paralysis can be associated with a lower motor neuron lesion. This is in contrast to a upper motor neuron lesion, which often presents with spastic paralysis. Included in AFP's list are Poliomyelitis, Transverse myelitis, Guillain-Barré syndrome, enteroviral encephalopathy ^[4], traumatic neuritis, Reye's syndrome etc. An AFP Surveillance programme is conducted to increase case yield of poliomyelitis. This includes collection of 2 stool samples within 14 days of onset of paralysis and identification of virus. and control of the outbreak and strengthening immunisation in that area.

[edit] References

[edit] External links

• Approach to Acute Flaccid Paralysis (Diagnosis, Management etc.)
• WHO Programme for Immunization Preventable Diseases (IPD) A Collaboration between World Health Organization and Government of Nepal
• ACUTE FLACCID PARALYSIS information from the IPD
• National Polio Surveillance Project of India
• "Progress towards poliomyelitis eradication, Nepal, 1996-1999". Wkly. Epidemiol. Rec. 74 (42): 349–53. October 1999. PMID 10895300. http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm4841a2.htm. 
• "Acute flaccid paralysis syndrome associated with West Nile virus infection—Mississippi and Louisiana, July-August 2002". MMWR Morb. Mortal. Wkly. Rep. 51 (37): 825–8. September 2002. PMID 12353741. http://www.cdc.gov/MMWR/PREVIEW/MMWRHTML/mm5137a1.htm. 
• Sejvar JJ, Leis AA, Stokic DS, et al. (July 2003). "Acute flaccid paralysis and West Nile virus infection". Emerging Infect. Dis. 9 (7): 788–93. PMID 12890318. http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/EID/vol9no7/03-0129.htm. 
• Saeed M, Zaidi SZ, Naeem A, et al. (2007). "Epidemiology and clinical findings associated with enteroviral acute flaccid paralysis in Pakistan". BMC Infect. Dis. 7: 6. doi:10.1186/1471-2334-7-6. PMID 17300736. 

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