Skip to main content
Log in

Anti-tetanus toxin titers in sera of the women who gave births in 1985 and 1989 in Gipuzkoa (Basque Country, Spain)

  • Published:
European Journal of Epidemiology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

14.9% (208/1400) of the women who gave births in 1985 and 1989 in Gipuzkoa (Basque Country, Spain), was considered to have ‘protective’ levels (⩾0.01 IU/ml) of tetanus antitoxin as measured by the passive haemagglutination test. Prevalence of protective antibodies was correlated to the years when women were born: 54.7% (64/117) of those born after 1965 were considered to have ‘protective’ levels (⩾=0.01 IU/ml) of tetanus antitoxin in contrast to those born before 1956 [only 6.2% (21/338)]. This is considered to be due to the infant immunization campaign introduced in 1965 in the Basque Country. Thus, we conclude that the tetanus immunization campaigns in the. Basque Country adult population is urgent.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Basterretxea M, Paino T. Estudio de la cobertura vacunal en una población escolar de Guipúzcoa: DTP, polio y sarampión. Gaceta Sanitaria 1988; 2: 26–29.

    Google Scholar 

  2. Bourleaud J. Etude séro-épidemiologique du tétanos en France. Bull Epidémiol Hebdomad 1984; 13: 2–3.

    Google Scholar 

  3. Celko A, Burianova B, Kriz B, Zikmundova V, Zikmund V, Stribrny J. Transplacental antibodies, II: Maternal antibodies against the toxins ofC. diphtheriae andC. tetani. J Hyg Epidemiol Microbiol Immunol 1985; 29: 83–88.

    Google Scholar 

  4. Craig JP. Immune response to Corynebacterium diphteriae and Clostridium tetani. In: Rose NR, Friedman H, Fahey JL (eds), Manual of clinical laboratory immunology (3rd edition). Washington, DC: American Society for Microbiology, 1986: 408–414.

    Google Scholar 

  5. Chen ST, Edsall G, Peel MM, Sinnathuray TA. Timing of antenatal tetanus immunization for effective protection of the neonate. Bull WHO 1983; 61: 159–165.

    Google Scholar 

  6. Christenson B. Böttiger M. Epidemiology and immunity to tetanus in Sweden. Scand J Infect Dis 1987; 19: 429–435.

    Google Scholar 

  7. D'Amelio R, Stroffolini T, Wirz M, Biselli R, Matricardi PM, Gentili G, Collotti C, Pasquini P. Tetanus immunity among Italians born after the introduction of mandatory vaccination of children. Vaccine 1993; 11: 935–936.

    Google Scholar 

  8. Galazka A, Gasse F, Henderson RH. Neonatal tetanus in the world and the global Expanded Programme on Immunization. In: Nistico G, Bizzini B, Bytchenko B, Triau R (eds), Eighth International Conference on Tetanus. Rome: Pythagora Press, 1989: 470–487.

    Google Scholar 

  9. Instituto Vasco de Estadística. Habitantes, movimiento nautral y migraciones: Nacidos vivos y tasas de fecundidad clasificados por edad cumplida de la madre 1985–1986. Anuario Estadístico Vasco 1991: 65.

  10. Perez-Trallero E, Cilia G, Urbieta M, Dorronsoro M, Saenz-Dominguez JR. Neutralizing antibodies in 6-year-old children after five doses of tetanus toxoid. Vaccine 1993; 8: 619–620.

    Google Scholar 

  11. Pitzurra M, Bistoni F, Pitzurra L, Marconi P. Use of turkey red blood cells in the passive haemagglutination test for studying tetanus immunity. Bull WHO 1983; 61: 331–338.

    Google Scholar 

  12. Rey M, Thikhomirov E. Non-neonatal tetanus over the world. In: Nistico G, Bizzini B, Bytchenko B, Triau R (eds), Eighth Internacional Conference on Tetanus. Rome: Pythagora Press, 1989: 506–518.

    Google Scholar 

  13. Ruiz Pelaez ML, Petit C, Rosado Martín M, Bolumar F, Nájera E. Evolución epidemiológica de la tosferina y el tétanos ante los programas de inmunización infantil. Rev San Hig Públ 1984; 58: 1133–1148.

    Google Scholar 

  14. Sáenz-Domínguez JR, Cilia G, Urbieta M, Marco P, Perez-Trallero E. Casos de tétanos en Guipuzcoa. An Med Inter (Madrid) 1992; 9: 372–376.

    Google Scholar 

  15. Schröder JP, Kuhlmann WD. Tetanusimmunität bei Männern und Frauen in der Bundesrepublik Deutschland. Immun Infekt 1991; 19: 14–17.

    Google Scholar 

  16. Vidal J, Taberner JL, Plans P, Garrido P, Jiménez de Anta MT, Salleras L. Prevalencia de anticuerpos antitetánicos en la población adulta de Cataluña. Med Clín (Barcelona) 1992; 99: 6–8.

    Google Scholar 

  17. World Health Organization. Expanded programme on immunization. European conference on immunization policies. Weekly Epidemiol Rec 1985; 60: 165–172.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Perez-Trallero, E., Cilia, G., Saenz-Dominguez, J.R. et al. Anti-tetanus toxin titers in sera of the women who gave births in 1985 and 1989 in Gipuzkoa (Basque Country, Spain). Eur J Epidemiol 11, 231–234 (1995). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01719494

Download citation

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01719494

Key words

Navigation