Effect of a Single Tetanus Toxoid in Korean Adults with Low Tetanus Antibody Titers

Yoon, Yoo Sang; No, Hyun Woong; Kim, Seung Ho; Chang, Wen Joen; Shim, Ho Shik

Abstract

PURPOSE
The determination of tetanus prophylaxis according to patients' memories of past immunization is inaccurate. However, by using the Tetanos Quick Stick(R) test, it is possible to select Korean adults with low tetanus antibody titers and to perform tetanus prophylaxis in the emergency department. In 1996, Ha reported that tetanus toxoid injection into healthy Korean adults revealed significant differences between the tetanus antibody titers at the beginning and the tetanus antibody titers after 1 week. Our purpose is to determine the effect of a single tetanus toxoid in Korean adults with low tetanus antibody titers.
METHODS
Blood samples were taken from 44 volunteers for a period of 6 weeks. All samples were analyzed using the Tetanus IgG ELISA (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay) method.
RESULTS
The results for tetanus antibody titers at the beginning and after 1 week, 2 weeks, 4 weeks, and 6 weeks were 0.04+/-0.05 IU/mL, 1.22+/-3.63 IU/mL, 4.99+/-7.3 6 IU/mL, 8.36+/-11.10 IU/mL and 6.59+/-9.21 IU/mL respectively. There was a statistically significant defference between the tetanus antibody titers at the beginning and the tetanus antibody titers after 2 weeks. There was no statistically significant defference between the tetanus antibody titers after 2 weeks and 6 weeks. After 4 weeks, all subjects' tetanus antibody titers were at the protective level.
CONCLUSIONS
A single tetanus toxoid injection is effective in Korean adults with low tetanus antibody titers.