Diphtheria antitoxin levels in the 14-30-year age group in Italy.
In order to verify diphtheria immunity a seroepidemiological survey was performed in 1996-1997. Serum samples were obtained from 501 subjects 14 years old, recruited at 8 schools in Rome, and from 490 subjects 20-30 years old recruited from 15 Italian regions. Serum diphtheria antitoxin was titrated using the Vero cell assay. The minimum protection level of antitoxin was set at 0.01 IU ml-1. The results show that the younger population have a good immunity to diphtheria while a large proportion of young adults is devoid of protective levels of diphtheria antitoxin. Out of the 501 subjects 14 years old, 495 (98.8%) had a diphtheria antitoxin titre > or = 0.01 IU ml(-1). Only 6 (1.2%) teenagers were susceptible. Out of the 490 subjects 20-30 years old, 109 (22.2%) were susceptible, 381 (77.8%) had a diphtheria antitoxin titre > or = 0.01 IU ml(-1). The data stress for booster immunization at the end of junior high school.
Mastroeni
I
I
Department of Basic and Applied Biology, University of L'Aquila, Italy.
Patti
A M
AM
Santi
A L
AL
Vescia
N
N
Bocchini
S
S
Bagnod
S
S
Ciapetti
C
C
Fara
G M
GM
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D004165:Diphtheria / Q000517:prevention & control*; D004166:Diphtheria Antitoxin / Q000276:immunology*; D004168:Diphtheria Toxoid / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007117:Immunization, Secondary; D007558:Italy / Q000453:epidemiology; D009500:Neutralization Tests; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies
D004166:Diphtheria Antitoxin; D004168:Diphtheria Toxoid