title: Effect of time at temperature on wild poliovirus titers in stool specimens.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The effect of transport temperature on the viability of poliovirus in stool specimens from paralyzed cases has not been tested. Quality assurance of programmatic indicators will be necessary in the final phase of polio eradication.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To estimate the effect of time at elevated temperatures on wild poliovirus titers in stool specimens.
  
  
  METHODS
  We exposed aliquots of pooled wild poliovirus type 1 specimens to elevated temperatures (27 °C, 31 °C, and 35 °C) for varying time periods up to 14 days. We determined the virus titer of these aliquots and created decay curves at each temperature to estimate the relationship between time at temperature and virus titer.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We found significantly different slopes of decay at each temperature. The negative slopes increased as the temperature increased.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  While poliovirus in stool remains relatively stable at moderately elevated temperature, transport at higher temperatures could impact sample integrity and virus isolation results.
authors: Global Immunization Division, Center for Global Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), USA. Electronic address: atwalker@cdc.gov.
authors: Allison Taylor
authors: AT
authors: Walker
authors: Global Immunization Division, Center for Global Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), USA.
authors: Alford J
authors: AJ
authors: Williams
authors: Global Immunization Division, Center for Global Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), USA.
authors: Howard E
authors: HE
authors: Gary
authors: Division of Viral Diseases, National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, CDC, USA.
authors: Mark A
authors: MA
authors: Pallansch
authors: Global Immunization Division, Center for Global Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), USA.
authors: Steven G F
authors: SG
authors: Wassilak
authors: Division of Viral Diseases, National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, CDC, USA.
authors: M Steven
authors: MS
authors: Oberste
mesh_terms: D005243:Feces / Q000821:virology*; D006801:Humans; D050296:Microbial Viability / Q000528:radiation effects*; D017955:Poliovirus / Q000502:physiology* / Q000528:radiation effects*; D013048:Specimen Handling / Q000379:methods; D013696:Temperature; D013997:Time Factors; D019562:Viral Load
keywords: Polio; Quality assurance; Reverse cold chain; Specimen transport