Seroprotection against tetanus in the Italian general population

• DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2024.05.015
• Publication Date: 2024-05-18T04:06:15Z
• Authors: Francesco Bagordo; Tiziana Grassi; Maria Cristina Rota; Paolo Castiglia; Tatjana Baldovin; Giorgia Della Polla; Alessandra Panico; Matilde Ogliastro; Serena Marchi; Costanza Vicentini; Palmira Immordino; Marta Savio; Giovanni Gabutti; V. Bordino; J. Garlasco; G. Memoli; A. Giandomenico; F. Greco; I. Manini; E. Montomoli; CM. Trombetta; V. Baldo; M. De Fino; M. Marandola; I. Giberti; A. Orsi; S. Barrocci; R. La Porta; A. Arghittu; M. Dettori; M. Boni; S. Ghisellini; CM. Maida; F. Tramuto; F. Vitale; A. Gamper; E. Robatscher; M. Guido; A. Idolo; IF. Angelillo; F. Napolitano
• Keywords: Seroprevalence; Age groups

Tetanus is a non-communicable disease, preventable with vaccination. Despite the implemented vaccination strategy, certain number of tetanus cases per year continue to occur. The aim study was evaluate seroprevalence anti-tetanus antibodies in Italian population by age, sex and geographical area. To determine level tetanus-specific antibodies, an immunoenzymatic assay used. A total 3,821 serum samples were collected years 2019–20 from healthy subjects aged 6–90 residing 13 regions. Overall, 85 % tested resulted positive. rate protected against showed gradual decrease younger age groups older ones (6–12 years: 93.6 %, 13–24 91.8 25–39 91.0 40–64 78.2 ≥ 65 45.3 %); this particularly evident Southern regions Islands. Moreover, prevalence low protection (<0.1 IU/ml) significantly higher group (10.3 %). Males females' significant difference only oldest (M: 60.8 F: 30.4 In general, observed for Northern (90.8 %) Central (87.3 than Islands (80.0 These data, compared epidemiological which high elderly, confirmed that lower has greater risk contracting demonstrating need adequate immunization through both primary boosters all ages sexes, order provide lifelong protection.