Question

Polio vaccine was first discovered and developed by
A. J.Salk
B. L. Pasture
C. G.J. Mendel
D. J.Watson

Answer 1

Hint: Polio is caused by poliovirus and it is the common name for poliomyelitis. The poliovirus is contagious.

Complete Answer:
- Dr. Jonas Salk is an American physician and he discovered the polio vaccine in the early 1950.
- During World War II Salk studied the virus as a student in the 1930s. He first injected poliovirus in monkey's kidney cells and isolated the virus.
- The virus was inactivated using formalin. Instead of using a live version of the virus, Salk used a killed or inactivated virus version. This inactivated virus when injected into the bloodstream will not cause an infection because the virus is dead.
- But the immune system can recognize it as foreign material and antibodies are produced against the virus.
- In 1953, Salk tested these inactivated polio vaccines on a small number of patients belonging to the Pittsburgh area and later on himself, his wife and three sons. The results were positive and the vaccine was found to be effective against poliovirus.
- It is known to spread from one person to another by infected fecal matter that enters the mouth. It can also spread via food or water containing human feces and rarely from infected saliva.
- Diagnosis can be done by detecting antibodies against the virus in the blood and finding it in human feces.

Therefore, the correct answer is option A. J.Salk.

Note: A virologist Dr.Albert Sabin was working on oral polio vaccine (OPV) a vaccine made with an active but attenuated virus which is even used worldwide today.