J Korean Geriatr Soc.
2011 Mar;15(1):20-28.
A Multicenter Study on the Tetanus Antibody Titers of Elderly Koreans
- Affiliations
-
- 1Department of Emergency Medicine, Seoul Metropolitan Government Seoul National University Boramae Medical Center, Seoul, Korea. skyshin1@dreamwiz.com
- 2Department of Emergency Medicine, Gachon University Gil Hospital, Incheon, Korea.
- 3Department of Emergency Medicine, Dongguk University Ilsan Hospital, Ilsan, Korea.
- 4Department of Emergency Medicine, Pusan National University Yangsan Hospital, Busan, Korea.
- 5Department of Emergency Medicine, Konkuk University Chungju Hospital, Chungju, Korea.
- 6Department of Emergency Medicine, Wonju Medical Center, Wonju, Korea.
- 7Department of Emergency Medicine, Jeju National University Hospital, Jeju, Korea.
- 8Department of Emergency Medicine, Seogwipo Medical Center, Jeju, Korea.
Abstract
- BACKGROUND
Although tetanus infections have diminished dramatically since the advent of tetanus vaccination, this disease has not disappeared. Those 60 years and older are still very much at risk for this infection. Thus, we investigated the tetanus antibody titers in people 60 years and older in Korea.
METHODS
Our subjects included those visiting eight emergency departments from March 2009 to February 2010 after an injury with stable vital signs and without acute disease. Samples obtained were tested using the tetanus immunoglobulin enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay method. The resultant tetanus antibody titers were analyzed.
RESULTS
The number of subjects enrolled was 462. The mean titer was 0.09+/-0.14 IU/mL. Twenty-two percent of the subjects had a safe titer level (>0.1 IU/mL). Males and urban subjects had higher tetanus antibody titers than did females and suburban subjects. Subjects living in Incheon, Gangwon-do, Chungcheong-do, and Jeju-do had lower titers.
CONCLUSION
The results of this study showed that Koreans 60 years and older did not have a protective mean level of tetanus antibody titer and that 78% of the subjects did not have a seroprotective level after tetanus exposure. Therefore, a national effort to administer tetanus vaccination to elderly Koreans is needed.
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