Preliminary surveillance of tetanus antitoxin in Taiwan
Lee, C.L.; Huang, H.C.; Chiu, S.Y.; Lee, Y.S.; Pan, T.M.; Horng, C.B.
Zhonghua Minguo Wei Sheng Wu Ji Mian Yi Xue Za Zhi 27(2): 90-93
1994
ISSN/ISBN: 0253-2662 PMID: 9747337 Document Number: 432273
Between July 1992 and May 1993, 133 serum samples were collected from the general population of various age groups. Antibody titres against tetanus were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay method. The mean values of antibody titres for children (33 subjects, age lt 11 years old), adults (57 subjects, age between 20 and 45 years old) and senior people (37 subjects, age gt 65 years old) were 2.67 +- 1.30 IU/ml, 1.82 +- 1.07 IU/ml and 0.24 +- 0.13 IU/ml, respectively. All the subjects had antibody titres above protected level of 0.01 IU/ml. Sera from children and adults were all with antibody titres above 0.1 IU/ml. However, 13.2% of the senior people had antibody titres below 0.1 IU/ml. Antibody titres gt 6.0 IU/ml in children and adults were 16.7% and 3.3%, respectively. Generally speaking, our diphtheria-pertussis-tetanus immunization program has been very effective for the children and adults. But an attention is still needed to pay for the senior people.