title: Pertussis seroprevalence in different age groups in Greece.
abstract: In order to target the appropriate age population for booster vaccination, we examined the antibody titres against pertussis toxin (PT) in different age groups in immunized and non-immunized individuals. In the immunized population, the highest anti-PT levels were observed in the 0- to 2-y age group and the lowest in the teenager and young adult groups. In contrast, in the control group, anti-PT levels were minimal in infants and young children, increasing in adolescence and early adulthood, and waning after 30 y of age. Antibody levels >30 U/ml were observed with higher frequency in children <2 y of age, in individuals with complete vaccination history and in non-immunized individuals. These findings may have important implications in optimizing vaccination policies.
authors: First Department of Paediatrics, Athens University, Athens, Greece. idpavlop@yahoo.gr
authors: Ioanna D
authors: ID
authors: Pavlopoulou
authors: Vassiliki
authors: V
authors: Syriopoulou
authors: George L
authors: GL
authors: Daikos
authors: Helen
authors: H
authors: Fourlani
authors: Andreas
authors: A
authors: Tzivaras
authors: Dimitrios
authors: D
authors: Petychakis
authors: Maria
authors: M
authors: Theodoridou
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006115:Greece / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D007115:Immunization Schedule; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000097:blood*; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010567:Pertussis Vaccine; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies; D014611:Vaccination / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D014917:Whooping Cough / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D010567:Pertussis Vaccine