Serologic Immunity to Tetanus in the United States, National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 2015-2016.
Clin Infect Dis
; 78(2): 470-475, 2024 02 17.
Article
in En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-37787062
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
Tetanus, a life-threatening infection, has become rare in the United States since introduction of tetanus toxoid-containing vaccines (TTCVs), recommended as a childhood series followed by decennial boosters beginning at age 11-12 years; vaccination uptake is high in children but suboptimal in adults. The objective of this study was to estimate the prevalence of sero-immunity to tetanus among persons aged ≥6 years in the United States and to identify factors associated with tetanus sero-immunity. Understanding population protection against tetanus informs current and future vaccine recommendations.METHODS:
Anti-tetanus toxoid antibody concentrations were measured for participants of the 2015-2016 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) aged ≥6 years for whom surplus serum samples were available using a microsphere-based multiplex antibody capture assay. Prevalence of sero-immunity, defined as ≥0.10â IU/mL, was estimated overall and by demographic characteristics. Factors associated with tetanus sero-immunity were examined using multivariable regression.RESULTS:
Overall, 93.8% of the US population aged ≥6 years had sero-protection against tetanus. Prevalence of sero-immunity was above 90% across racial/ethnic categories, sex, and poverty levels. By age, ≥ 90% had protective sero-immunity through age 69 years, but prevalence of sero-immunity declined thereafter, with 75.8% of those aged ≥80 years having protective sero-immunity. Older age (adjusted prevalence ratio [aPR] 0.89, 95% confidence interval [CI] .85-.92) and being born outside the United States (aPR 0.96, 95% CI .93-.98) were significantly associated with lower prevalence of sero-immunity.CONCLUSIONS:
The majority of the US population has vaccine-induced sero-immunity to tetanus, demonstrating the success of the vaccination program.Key words
Full text:
1
Collection:
01-internacional
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Tetanus
Type of study:
Prognostic_studies
/
Risk_factors_studies
Limits:
Adult
/
Aged
/
Child
/
Humans
Country/Region as subject:
America do norte
Language:
En
Journal:
Clin Infect Dis
Journal subject:
DOENCAS TRANSMISSIVEIS
Year:
2024
Document type:
Article
Affiliation country:
United States
Publication country:
EEUU
/
ESTADOS UNIDOS
/
ESTADOS UNIDOS DA AMERICA
/
EUA
/
UNITED STATES
/
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
/
US
/
USA