Diphtheria antitoxin levels among adults in Manisa

Diphtheria is an infectious disease, caused by Corynebacterium diphtheriae, which can be prevented by diphtheria toxoid immunization. Respiratory tract and skin infections occurred especially in childhood are important morbidity and mortality factors. In pre-vaccination periods, by causing epidemics disease has engendered high death rates and serious complications among the children.In 1930s, along with the spread of vaccination all over the world, a dramatic decrease in disease?s morbidity and mortality has been seen and especially in the developed countries the disease ceased to be a problem. In the developing countries, however, in spite of a few annually cases, the disease has continued to be seen endemically. In 1990s, the acute epidemics, evolving in Russia and newly emerged independent countries of former Soviet Union and mostly affecting the adults, have attracted the attentions to this disease once again. Many researchers, recently, carried out studies that manifested status of immunization of the societies and the importance of adulthood vaccination.In our study that we searched for the adult immunization against the diphtheria, it is ascertained that 61,9% of the people are being protected against the disease whereas 38,1% of them are sensitive. There is a significant relation between the protective immunity and the age, it is determined that the highest protection rate exists among the 20 and lower than 20 age group together with 71 and over-71 age group. However, the most sensitive group against the disease is 30-50 ages. In terms of protection, no significant relation is ascertained between the sexes.The fact of people?s age who are sensitive to the disease is shifting to adulthood in Manisa is emphasized in our study and also the importance of diphtheria vaccination in adulthood is stated once again. In 2006, by the decision of Ministry of Health, the implementation of adult type diphtheria-tetanus vaccination in every case that necessitates tetanus vaccination is an important step to overcome the problem.