Abstract
In order to verify diphtheria immunity a seroepidemiological survey was performed in 1996–1997. Serum samples were obtained from 501 subjects 14 years old, recruited at 8 schools in Rome, and from 490 subjects 20–30 years old recruited from 15 Italian regions. Serum diphtheria antitoxin was titrated using the Vero cell assay. The minimum protection level of antitoxin was set at 0.01 IU ml-1. The results show that the younger population have a good immunity to diphtheria while a large proportion of young adults is devoid of protective levels of diphtheria antitoxin. Out of the 501 subjects 14 years old, 495 (98.8%) had a diphtheria antitoxin titre ≥ 0.01 IU ml-1. Only 6 (1.2%) teenagers were susceptible. Out of the 490 subjects 20–30 years old, 109 (22.2%) were susceptible, 381 (77.8%) had a diphtheria antitoxin titre ≥ 0.01 IU ml-1. The data stress for booster immunization at the end of junior high school.
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Mastroeni, I., Patti, A., Santi, A. et al. Diphtheria antitoxin levels in the 14–30–year age group in Italy. Eur J Epidemiol 14, 683–686 (1998). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1007479125558
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1007479125558