On the presence of the antibodies against diphtheria and tetanus in a sample of population [Sulla presenza degli anticorpi antidifterici ed antitetancic in un campoine di popolazione aperta]

Tth acquistion of serological techniques, as the HA-induced reaction, which can be employed on a large scale, its practical realization, the repeating of its results, has made easy the epidemiological serological research and the knowledge of the state of immunity of the population against diphtheria and tetanus. The Authors, supported by validity of the results achieved, at least in epidmiological field, wanted to estimate the presence and the title of the antidiphtheria and anti-tetanus antibodies in a sample of population living in our area, to know the factors of risk at different age. The results obtained have demonstrate as follows: in the group of the subjects ageing from 11 to 20, the 48,6% have been protective antibodies against the diphtheria and the 29,8% against the tetanus. Among the subjects, who have been surely vaccinated for 10 years at least with on or more doses of vaccine, the Authors have found a largest number of immune subjects; in the group of the subjects ageing from 21 to 30 the percentage of seropositive subjects is analogus to that one of the former group. In the male subjects, the Authors have found a higher percentage of immunity than in the female subjects, because the largest number of the former group had done their military service; the Authors have, also, observed that those subjects who are more than 31 years old, persent a decline in numbers and in percentage of those who have antibodies against diphtheria and tetanus. The Authors, on the basis of the achieved results, express their opinion about the epidemiological and of the immunity situation, and point out the deficiencies, which, in their opinion, still constant trickle of cases.