Diphtheria antibody levels in the Italian population

Immunity to diphtheria was assessed in serum samples obtained from 3111 healthy Italian males and females aged 0-84 years. Diphtheria antitoxin was tested using a double-antigen, time-resolved fluorescence immunoassay (DA-DELFIA). According to internationally accepted criteria, antitoxin concentrati...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:European journal of clinical microbiology & infectious diseases 2000-06, Vol.19 (6), p.433-437
Main Authors: VON HUNOLSTEIN, C, ROTA, M. C, ALFARONE, G, RICCI, M. L, SALMASO, S
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adolescent
Adult
Age Factors
Age groups
Antibodies
Antigens
Antitoxins
Bacterial diseases
Biological and medical sciences
Child
Child, Preschool
Corynebacterium diphtheriae
Diphtheria
Diphtheria - immunology
Diphtheria Antitoxin - blood
Diphtheria Toxoid
Disease Susceptibility
Ent and stomatologic bacterial diseases
Female
Fluorescent Antibody Technique
Human bacterial diseases
Humans
Immunization, Secondary
Immunoassay
Infant
Infectious diseases
Italy
Male
Medical sciences
Middle Aged
Sex Factors
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Summary:Immunity to diphtheria was assessed in serum samples obtained from 3111 healthy Italian males and females aged 0-84 years. Diphtheria antitoxin was tested using a double-antigen, time-resolved fluorescence immunoassay (DA-DELFIA). According to internationally accepted criteria, antitoxin concentrations < 0.01 IU/ml indicate susceptibility to diphtheria, those > or = 0.01-0.09 IU/ml provide basic or inadequate protection, and concentrations > or =0.1 IU/ml are protective. By these criteria, 9.9% (95% CI 8.9 to 11.18) of the participants were susceptible to diphtheria, 30.2% (95% CI, 28.6 to 31.9) had basic protection, and 59.9% (95% CI, 58.1 to 61.6) were protected. The prevalence of unprotected individuals showed an age-related increase, up to the 45-49-year-old age group for females and the 50-54-year-old age group for males (34.9% and 31.3% of individuals, respectively). The prevalence of immunity did not significantly differ in relation to sex in any of the age groups. These results indicate that booster shots should be routinely provided to the adult population in order to maintain a protective level of diphtheria antibodies.
ISSN:0934-9723
1435-4373
DOI:10.1007/s100960000291