title: Immunity to tetanus in United Kingdom populations.
abstract: As tetanus, a totally preventable disease, is still encountered in the older age group in England and Wales, a study was carried out to assess the state of immunity to the disease in the elderly population. These levels were compared to those in recruits and service personnel in the Army. Elderly patients with underlying disease had lower levels than the elderly who were healthy. When compared with recruit population the elderly group had significantly lower levels of antibody. If tetanus is to be eliminated, an effective programme of immunisation extending throughout life must be ensured.
authors.affiliation: Queen Elizabeth Military Hospital, London, UK.
authors.forename: N S
authors.initials: NS
authors.lastname: Cumberland
authors.forename: A G
authors.initials: AG
authors.lastname: Kidd
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Karalliedde
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D004739:England; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007110:Immunity, Active; D007114:Immunization; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008889:Military Personnel; D013742:Tetanus / Q000276:immunology*; D013743:Tetanus Antitoxin / Q000097:blood*; D013745:Tetanus Toxoid / Q000276:immunology*; D014852:Wales
chemical_list: D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D013743:Tetanus Antitoxin; D013745:Tetanus Toxoid