Determination of immunity level of Diphtheria and Tetanus among the population children of and youth in Ulaanbaatar city

Abstract

Background: Diphtheria is an acute infectious disease caused by the bacterium Corynebacterium. The causative agent of diphtheria is an acute infectious disease caused by the bacterium Clostridium tetani, which is transmitted through the mucous membranes of the nose and pharynx and is transmitted to healthy people through airborne droplets and household contact. In 2017-2019, a study conducted by the National Center for Public Health on “Immunosuppression and Infectious Diseases of Injectable Infectious Diseases” found that 66.66% of participants over the age of 26 and 52.26% over the age of 36 had low immunity to tetanus. It was concluded that people over the age of 35, especially those working in hazardous conditions such as agriculture and mining, and women of childbearing age should be re-vaccinated with a single dose of diphtheria and tetanus vaccine.15 Therefore, the need to determine and compare the level of immunity of children and youth aged 7-27 years was the basis for this study. Materials and Methods: We collected questionnaires and blood samples of 352 participants aged 7-27, from Bayanzurkh, Bayangol, Chingeltei, and Sukhbaatar districts of UB city, after obtaining informed consent. The blood was tested by ELISA and immunity level was assessed based on kit manufacturer instructions and WHO recommendations. Results: 99% of the population had protective levels of tetanus antibodies, and 1% had no immunity. 96% of the population had protective levels of diphtheria antibodies, and 4% had no immunity. Of these, 91% have the highest immune response to tetanus, ≥0.11 IU / ml, and had adequate, long-term immunity. Conclusions: 99% of the participants were tetanus and 96% were immune to diphtheria. After the second dose of the vaccine at the age of 15 years, until the age of 27 years, the level of immunity is normal and long-term.