Immunological abnormalities in the syndrome of poliomyelitis-like illness associated with acute bronchial asthma (Hopkin's syndrome).

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Abstract
In recent years an unusual syndrome of poliomyelitis-like illness associated with acute bronchial asthma was reported from different parts of the world. Three cases are described. Although the condition resembles poliomyelitis in most respects, particularly with regard to the severe permanent residual weakness usually observed, consistent evidence of a viral etiology was not forthcoming. Tests of immune function suggested the presence of varying degrees of non-specific immune deficiency in the 3 patients, but evidence of viral invasion was inconclusive. A combination of immune deficiency with the stress of the acute asthma attack apparently rendered the patients susceptible to invasion of the anterior horn cells by a viral agent, which may have been of external origin or may have existed in a latent form within the host.