title: Seroepidemiology of tetanus in Korean adults and adolescents in 2012.
abstract: This seroepidemiologic study was performed to evaluate the immune status against tetanus in Korean adolescents and adults and to provide evidence to develop strategies for tetanus prevention. Between July 2012 and December 2012, serum samples were collected from adults and adolescents 11 years of age and older, and serum anti-tetanus IgG titers were determined using a commercial ELISA kit. Subjects were divided into six age groups: 11-20 years, 21-30 years, 31-40 years, 41-50 years, 51-60 years, and ≥61 years. The mean anti-tetanus IgG titers and tetanus seroprevalence of the age groups were compared. A total of 1193 adults and adolescents were enrolled. Mean anti-tetanus IgG titer and tetanus seroprevalence of all subjects were 1.20 ± 3.58 IU/mL and 56.4%, respectively. The mean anti-tetanus IgG titer decreased with an increase in age (p < 0.001). Tetanus seroprevalence increased from 92.0% in the 11-20 year age group to 95.7% in the 21-30 year age group, and then decreased with a further increase in age (p < 0.001). These results reflected an appropriate Td booster vaccine coverage at 11-12 years of age. However, the tetanus seroprevalence of adults older than 41 years was as low as the levels in previous studies: therefore, adults should be more encouraged to acquire decennial Td booster vaccinations recommended by the National Immunization Program.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Hyunwoo
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Sung
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Mi Jin
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Jang
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Republic of Korea; Vaccine Bio Research Institute, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: E Young
authors.initials: EY
authors.lastname: Bae
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Republic of Korea; Vaccine Bio Research Institute, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Seung Beom
authors.initials: SB
authors.lastname: Han
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Republic of Korea; Vaccine Bio Research Institute, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Jong-Hyun
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Republic of Korea; Vaccine Bio Research Institute, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Republic of Korea. Electronic address: kjhan@catholic.ac.kr.
authors.forename: Jin Han
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Kang
authors.affiliation: Department of Laboratory Medicine, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Yeon-Joon
authors.initials: YJ
authors.lastname: Park
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Changwon Fatima Hospital, Changwon, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Sang Hyuk
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Ma
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D056910:Republic of Korea / Q000453:epidemiology; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies; D013742:Tetanus / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000276:immunology / Q000517:prevention & control; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial; D007074:Immunoglobulin G
keywords: Diphtheria-tetanus vaccine; Epidemiology; Republic of Korea; Tetanus