Lack of seroprotection against diphtheria in the Austrian population, in light of reported diphtheria cases in Europe, 2022

Euro Surveill. 2023 Apr;28(17). doi: 10.2807/1560-7917.ES.2023.28.17.2300206.ABSTRACTFollowing an increase in diphtheria cases in Europe since 2022, we retrospectively estimated the prevalence of seroprotection against diphtheria and tetanus in 10,247 Austrian residents (population: 8,978,929) voluntarily tested between 2018 and 2022. Lack of seroprotection against diphtheria was found in 36% compared with 4% against tetanus. The geometric mean antibody concentration against tetanus was 7.9-fold higher compared with that for diphtheria. Raising awareness of regular booster vaccinations against diphtheria in combination with tetanus and pertussis is urgently needed.PMID:37103786 | DOI:10.2807/1560-7917.ES.2023.28.17.2300206
Source: Euro Surveill - Category: Infectious Diseases Authors: Source Type: research