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Prevalence of diphtheria carriers in a population with disappearing clinical diphtheria

Prävalenz der Diphtherie-Carrier in einer Bevölkerung, in der die klinische Diphtherie nahezu ausgerottet ist

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Summary

Ten years ago the incidence of diphtheria was relatively high in Greece and a survey of school children had revealed a carrier prevalence of non-toxigenicCorynnebacterium diphtheriae of 3.4%. A similar survey undertaken now has revealed that the disease seems to be disappearing. Among 895 school children (6–13 years-old) in seven primary schools of different socioeconomic levels, only seven were carriers of non-toxigenicC. diphtheriae strains, corresponding to a prevalence of 0.8%. Toxigenic strains were not found. All carriers were pupils of the same school, and the carrier state was more frequent during the first three school years. All the carriers were found in a school serving a socioeconomically deprived area. A statistically significant association was found between the prevalence ofC. diphtheriae and of other non-pathogenic Corynebacteria.

Zusammenfassung

Vor zehn Jahren war die Inzidenz der Diphtherie in Griechenland noch relativ hoch, und eine Kontrolluntersuchung bei Schulkindern hatte eine Prävalenz von Trägern nicht-toxigenerCorynebacterium diphtheriae von 3,4% ergeben. Eine ähnliche Untersuchung wurde neuerdings vorgenommen, wo die Krankheit zu verschwinden scheint. Von 895 Schulkindern (Alter 6–13 Jahre) aus sieben Grundschulen mit unterschiedlicher sozioökonomischer Zusammensetzung waren nur sieben Träger nicht-toxigenerC. diphtheriae-Stämme, entsprechend einer Prävalenz von 0,8%. Toxigene Stämme wurden nicht gefunden. Alle Träger waren Schüler derselben Schule, und der Trägerstatus war in den ersten drei Jahrgängen häufiger. Alle Träger wurden in einer Schule gefunden, die eine sozioökonomisch benachteiligte Gegend versorgte. Zwischen der Prävalenz vonC. diphtheriae und anderen apathogenen Corynebakterien fand sich eine statistisch signifikante Assoziation.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Hygiene and Epidemiology, School of Medicine, University of Athens, Goudi, 115 27, Athens, Greece

    V. Kalapothaki,  E. Xirouchaki &  D. Trichopoulos

  2. Division of Public Health, Ministry of Health and Welfare, Athens, Greece

    T. Sapounas &  G. Papoutsakis

Authors
  1. V. Kalapothaki
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  2. E. Xirouchaki
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  3. D. Trichopoulos
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  4. T. Sapounas
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  5. G. Papoutsakis
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Kalapothaki, V., Xirouchaki, E., Trichopoulos, D. et al. Prevalence of diphtheria carriers in a population with disappearing clinical diphtheria. Infection 12, 387–389 (1984). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01645221

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