title: Antitoxin antibody levels and the outcome of illness during an outbreak of diphtheria among alcoholics.
abstract: During an outbreak of diphtheria among alcoholics in Göteborg, Sweden, a study was made of the diphtheria-antitoxin antibodies in serum samples from 8 clinical cases and 36 carriers of toxin-producing Corynebacterium diphtheriae. 33/36 carriers were antibody-positive and had antitoxin titres greater than 0.01 IU/ml, a level which is regarded as relative protective, while only 1/8 clinical cases had such a titre. This patient presented a mild illness with no complications. The results of the study of this outbreak stress the importance of maintaining adequate antibody levels against diphtheria in highly developed societies.
mesh_terms: D000437:Alcoholism / Q000150:complications*; D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial / Q000032:analysis*; D002353:Carrier State / Q000276:immunology*; D004165:Diphtheria / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000276:immunology*; D004196:Disease Outbreaks; D006801:Humans; D007115:Immunization Schedule; D012306:Risk; D013548:Sweden; D014611:Vaccination
chemical_list: D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial