CURRENT STATUS OF RESIDUAL ANTI-DIPHTHERIA ANTIBODIES OF THE AGE GROUP OF 5 – 40 YEARS IN THE COMMUNITY OF KHANH HOA PROVINCE

Abstract

In recent years the epidemic of diphtheria caused by Corynebacterium diphtheriae has re-emerged in some provinces in the Central region and the Central Highlands of Vietnam. In this study, we conducted this study to determine the residual antitoxin antibodies to diphtheria in order to assess the overall immunity in the population, thereby planning for additional vaccination and proactively prevent diphtheria in Khanh Hoa province. Samples collected to evaluate anti-diphtheria antibody residues by ELISA method for the study results includes: In total 1,195 participants, 26.69% had antibody levels that reached adequate and long-term protection (concentrations). antibody level ≥ 0.1 IU/mL); The mean antibody concentration (GMC) was 0.07 IU/mL (95% CI: 0.07-0.08) and there was no difference in men and women; Among the age groups, the age group 5-10 had the highest full and long-term protection (52.38%), the lowest was the 11-20 age group (15.99%). The average antibody concentration was highest in the 5-10 age group (0.14 IU/mL, 95% CI: 0.12 - 0.16).

The study results show that the risk of diphtheria outbreak cannot be ruled out, so booster doses should be considered to maintain immunity against diphtheria in the population of Khanh Hoa province.