Researchers are working hard to answer several questions about acute flaccid myelitis (AFM). Some recent information seems to be pointing the finger at enterovirus (specifically EV-D68 and possibly EV-A71 strains).

Currently, almost 600 cases of AFM have been confirmed in the United States since 2014. In a study published in Nature Medicine, researchers found enterovirus antibodies in the cerebrospinal fluid of 70% of the children with AFM. By comparison, in a study of children with other neurologic conditions, enterovirus was found in only 7%.

The other questions researchers are trying to answer include:

• Are the every-other-year AFM surges related to the enteroviruses or human immunity?
• Why do the few AFM cases in off-peak years have more varied causes?
• Many children are exposed to enteroviruses, so why do so few develop AFM?

Source: The New York Times