Some epidemiological aspects of diphtheria in Malaysia.
In Malysia, the proportion of children fully immunized againest diphtheria is generally low (20%). On the other hand, the Schick conversion rate rises with age and reaches 90% by 11 years of age. It is noted that asymptomatic carriers are an important epidemiological factor in diphtheria and that carrier rates for school children are high (prevalence of 7.5% while the rate of coloization with C. diphtheriae over a period of one year was 30%). Although immunization protects against clinical diphtheria, it does not prevent the carrier state. Thus, for the control of diphtheria, one should aim for 100% compliance. Some suggestions as to how higher levels of immunity may be achieved are described.
D002353:Carrier State / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000276:immunology; D002648:Child; D004165:Diphtheria / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000276:immunology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008296:Malaysia; D008297:Male