Pertussis (whooping cough) toxin and Bordetella pertussis whole-cell antibody levels in a healthy New Zealand population
Lau, R.C.
New Zealand Medical Journal 102(878): 560-562
1989
ISSN/ISBN: 0028-8446 PMID: 2554227 Document Number: 337127
Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) tests were used to measure IgG antibody levels to Bordetella pertussis whole-cell and to pertussis toxin in a healthy New Zealand population. The percentage of individuals with measurable antibody to B pertussis whole-cell increased from 47.3% in the 5 year olds to 93.0% in the 40-49 age group, from which the percentage with antibody dropped to 88.7% in the 50-65 age group. The percentage of persons with antibody to the toxin increased with age from 17.5% in the 5 year olds to 67.0% in the 40-49 age group, from which the percentage of individuals with antibody dropped to 45.4% in the 50-65 age group. Similarly, the percentage of persons with antibody to both B pertussis whole-cell and pertussis toxin increased with age from 15.5% in the 5 year olds to 63.0% in the 40-49 age group, and then the percentage with antibody to whole-cell and toxin dropped to 45.4% in the 50-65 age group. The percentage of individuals with antibody to pertussis toxin is generally markedly lower than the percentage of persons with antibody to B pertussis whole-cell across the age range. Suggestions are made as to how to improve herd immunity for pertussis.