Antibody Seroprevalence of Diphtheria in Young Adults

Our study has been planned to search for the susceptibility of the young adult population to diphtheria. For this purpose, 410 soldiers in 20-25 age group have been tested for their antibodies against diphteriae. We have also recorded their ages, education status and geographic regions. Blood samples were taken from a research group of mean age 20.89 ± 0.095 and then 0.5 mL adult type diphtheria-tetanus vaccine (Imogam dT, Pasteur-Merieux, France) was applied. Of 410, the second blood samples of 316 subjects were taken for searching the diphtheria antibodies. Diphtheriae antibody levels were tested by using of Gen-enzyme Virotech GmbH (Löwenplatz 5, Rüsselsheim, Germany) test kit in the first and the second blood samples of these 316 subjects. 24.5% (50/204) of the 20 years age group, 29.4% (30/102) of the 21-24 years age group and 30% (3/10) of the 25 years age group had antibodies under the protective level of 0.01 IU/mL. Prior to vaccination period a statistically insignificant difference between the groups was determined with respect to age, educational status and geographic area (p> 0.05 for all groups). After the vaccination, in all age groups the antibody levels were found as above the protective level. According to these results, it can be concluded that dT vaccination should be considered for the 20 years age group