Epidemic diphtheria reemerged in the republic of Georgia in 1993. From 1993 to 1997, 1405 cases were reported (28 in 1993, 312 in 1994, 429 in 1995, 348 in 1996, and 288 in 1997), with a cumulative incidence of 25.8/100,000 and a case fatality ratio of 9.5%. During 1993-1997, 53% of the diphtheria cases occurred among persons >/=15 years of age. Unvaccinated patients were more likely to have to...

In October 2011, a child who had arrived in Sweden from Somalia presented with atypical tonsillitis, was treated with penicillin and the symptoms resolved. A throat swab was positive for toxigenic Corynebacterium diphtheriae. The child's family were then vaccinated with diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis vaccine and screened for C. diphtheriae. No secondary cases were found. A high level of adhe...

The American Academy of Pediatrics and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are amending previous recommendations and making additional recommendations for the use of tetanus toxoid, reduced-content diphtheria toxoid, and acellular pertussis vaccine (Tdap). Review of the results from clinical trials and other studies has revealed no excess reactogenicity when Tdap is given within a sh...

In this issue of Pediatrics Acosta et al present a tetanus toxoid, reduced diphtheria toxoid, and acellular pertussis, adsorbed (Tdap) vaccine effectiveness study in adolescents in Washington State during the first 6 months of 2012. Their findings support the previous Tdap effectiveness data from Wisconsin. The duration of Tdap effectiveness is disappointing, particularly because case-control s...

The pediatric formulations usually have 3-5 times as much of the diphtheria component than what is in the adult/ adolescent formulation. Similarly, the formulations for adults/adolescents have around one third of acellular pertussis content than pediatric formulations. The amount of tetanus toxoid in each of the products remains almost equivalent. Dose reduction for diphtheria and pertussis is ...

Background An Australian study including 4433 children found that delayed Diphtheria-Tetanus-acellular Pertussis–containing vaccination was associated with reduced risk of developing atopic dermatitis (AD) before age 1 year. Objective We assessed whether against diphtheria, tetanus, acellular pertussis, polio, and Haemophilus influenzae type b (Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis – Inactivated Polio...

background immunization is an essential issue in primary health care, which has a tremendous impact on infection prevention. objectives this study aimed to determine the immunization status of health care personnel (hcp) and adult patients admitted at teaching hospitals. conclusions the low rate of immunization warrants implementation of novel protocols in adults as well as implying on educatio...

Recommendations for routine vaccinations in children and adolescents have changed multiple times in recent years, based on findings in clinical trials, licensure of new vaccines, and evidence of waning immunity. Despite the overwhelming success of vaccinations, vaccine delay and refusal are leading to pockets of vaccine-preventable diseases. Schedules for diphtheria and tetanus toxoids, and ace...

The main objective of this study was to investigate the booster antibody response in individuals with initially high levels of diphtheria antitoxin. Sixty individuals eligible for the routine booster by the age of 18 years each received a single dose of 5 Lf of diphtheria toxoid in diphtheria-tetanus vaccine. A double antigen ELISA was used for the assessment of the antibody levels. Chaotropic ...

On 1 January 1996, diphtheria-tetanus revaccination at the age of 5 years was implemented in the Danish Childhood Vaccination Programme. Initially, a combined DT vaccine containing 25 Lf diphtheria toxoid was used. Due to a high frequency of spontaneously reported adverse reactions, however, concerns were raised that the diphtheria dose was too high, and it was reduced to 6.25 Lf. This survey p...