Immunity to diphtheria in Izmir, Turkey.
In order to assess immunity to diphtheria in Izmir, Turkey, a total of 743 persons 1-70 years of age were selected with cluster sampling. The information on socio-demographic characteristics, vaccination status and diphtheria history was gathered for each participant. Diphtheria antitoxin levels were measured qualitatively by using micro-enzyme immune assay. Of studied population, 79.1% had fully protective antitoxin levels (> or = 0.1 IU/ml). Diphtheria protection rates showed a gradual age-related decrease, reaching minimum in the 30-44 age group, in which 40.2% of these subjects had antibody titre below the full protective level. The diphtheria antitoxin geometric mean titer was highest in the 5-9 year age group (1.05 IU/ml). Then, geometric mean titer decreased with increasing age, and reached the minimum level in the 30-44 age group (0.19 IU/ml). These results suggest that in Izmir, Turkey, full serological protection against diphtheria is only detectable in 60% of the adult population. The enhancement of diphtheria immunity by booster vaccinations in adolescents and adults should be considered in Turkey.
Egemen
A
A
Department of Pediatrics, Ege University, Faculty of Medicine, Izmir, Turkey.
Kurugöl
Z
Z
Akşit
S
S
Ozacar
T
T
Keskinoğlu
P
P
Afşar
I
I
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial / Q000032:analysis; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004165:Diphtheria / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000276:immunology*; D004166:Diphtheria Antitoxin / Q000032:analysis*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D014421:Turkey / Q000453:epidemiology; D014505:Urban Population
D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial; D004166:Diphtheria Antitoxin