Researchers conducted a retrospective examination of seroprotection against tetanus and diphtheria among Austrian citizens following a spike in diphtheria infections from 2022 in a new article published in the Eurosurveillance Journal. Adult antibody concentrations against diphtheria were insignificant in 18 European Union nations.

The study evaluated 10,247 people to be tested for anti-diphtheria and anti-tetanus toxoid immunoglobulin G (IgG) concentrations between 2018 and 2022.

Between 2018 and 2022, 10,247 persons were tested for anti-diphtheria and anti-tetanus toxoid immunoglobulin G (IgG) concentrations.

To assess the quantities, an enzyme-linked immunosorbent test (ELISA) was used. According to the findings, the overall seroprotection prevalence against diphtheria was 63.96% and 95.99% against tetanus. Males had 1.13 times the diphtheria seroprotection as females. 

Antibodies against tetanus toxoid had a geometric mean concentration 7.9 times higher than antibodies against diphtheria toxoid. Furthermore, antibody levels against the diphtheria toxoid decreased by 2.9% in 89 people. When age groups were analysed, diphtheria toxoid antibody concentrations decreased by 16.5% for every 10 years of age increase.

In 1945, Austria started diphtheria immunization for children, and by the late 1960s, the prevalence of diphtheria in the general population had been dramatically decreased. 

The poor levels of protection, according to the researchers, might be attributed to missing booster vaccination doses, declining antibody levels, and low levels of vaccine-induced immunity. 

Anti-diphtheria toxoid and anti-tetanus toxoid antibody levels revealed that either the diphtheria toxoid concentration in booster vaccination doses is low or persons chose the monovalent tetanus vaccine for emergency care. 

The study recommended increasing awareness about booster vaccinations among residents and migrant populations to ensure protection against the disease.

(Source:https://www.news-medical.net/news/20230501/A-high-proportion-of-adults-in-Europe-do-not-have-protective-antibody-concentrations-against-diphtheria.aspx)