Community-Based Seroepidemiology of Diphtheria and Tetanus in Edirne, Turkey

抄録

The aim of this study was to evaluate the seroprevalence and correlates of diphtheria and tetanus in Edirne, Turkey. Tetanus and diphtheria antitoxin levels were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Among 99 participants, a diphtheria antitoxin level of ≥0.1 IU/mL was found in 97 (98%), while 2 (2%) had antitoxin levels of 0.011-0.099 IU/mL. The geometric mean titres (GMTs) in men were statistically higher. Among 295 participants, a tetanus antitoxin level of ≥0.1 IU/mL was found in 291 (98.6%), while 4 (1.4%) had antitoxin levels of 0.011-0.099 IU/mL. Participants who had completed secondary school or higher education showed higher GMT values. Additionally, participants vaccinated within the previous 5 years had higher GMT values and the percentage of participants who had completed secondary school or higher education was higher among them. GMTs decrease with increasing age and increase as the poverty index increases. The average socioeconomic status index of the participants was high for both diphtheria and tetanus seroepidemiology. In this community-based study, antitoxin levels of diphtheria and tetanus were high. However, revaccination of adults with tetanus-diphtheria toxoids at every opportunity (military service, pregnancy, post-injury prophylaxis, etc.) together with a single booster every 10 years should be considered as an immunization policy.