Chromosome aberrations and sister-chromatid exchanges (SCEs) in peripheral blood lymphocytes of patients suffering from poliomyelitis.

The frequencies of sister-chromatid exchanges (SCEs) and various chromosome aberrations were studied in blood lymphocyte cultures of individuals suffering from polio virus infection. The frequency of SCEs was found to be within the normal range in polio patients whereas the frequency of chromatid breaks, gaps and other chromosome aberrations showed a significant (p less than 0.001) increase when compared with that of controls. It indicates that the mechanism(s) responsible for polio virus-induced chromosomal damage may not be related to or affect the molecular process(es) that functions in SCE formation.