title: [Diphtheria in a highly immunized population].
abstract: Although diphtheria vaccination is routine world-wide, outbreaks of the disease continue to occur in supposedly vaccinated populations. The incidence of diphtheria in Israel is very low, with only 3 cases reported in the past 24 years (all in unvaccinated children). In 2 of the 3 an asymptomatic carrier was identified among the patients' close contacts, presumable the source of the infection. We describe a recent case of diphtheria. It is important for physicians to be aware of the possibility of diphtheria occurring despite the high rate of vaccination in our population.
authors.affiliation: Tel Aviv District Health Office, Central Laboratory and Epidemiology Dept., Jerusalem.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Sheffer
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Marva
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Mimon
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Slater
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Cohen
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Shohat
mesh_terms: D002648:Child; D004165:Diphtheria / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D004168:Diphtheria Toxoid; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007557:Israel / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D014611:Vaccination / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*
chemical_list: D004168:Diphtheria Toxoid