Diphtheria antitoxin levels in the Netherlands: a population-based study.
In a population-based study in the Netherlands, diphtheria antitoxin antibodies were measured with a toxin-binding inhibition assay in 9, 134 sera from the general population and religious communities refusing vaccination. The Dutch immunization program appears to induce long-term protection against diphtheria. However, a substantial number of adults born before the program was introduced had no protective diphtheria antibody levels. Although herd immunity seems adequate, long-term population protection cannot be assured. As more than 60% of orthodox reformed persons have antibody levels lower than 0.01 IU/ml, introduction of diphtheria into religious communities refusing vaccination may constitute a danger of spread of the bacterium.
de Melker
H E
HE
National Institute of Public Health and the Environment, Bilthoven, The Netherlands. H.de.Melker@rivm.nl
Berbers
G A
GA
Nagelkerke
N J
NJ
Conyn-van Spaendonck
M A
MA
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000368:Aged; D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial / Q000097:blood*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004165:Diphtheria / Q000276:immunology*; D004166:Diphtheria Antitoxin / Q000097:blood* / Q000276:immunology; D004168:Diphtheria Toxoid / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009426:Netherlands; D011159:Population Surveillance / Q000379:methods*; D017678:Sex Distribution
D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial; D004166:Diphtheria Antitoxin; D004168:Diphtheria Toxoid