Tetanus Antibody Research Articles

1086 Tetanus Bedside Immuno-Assay. A Quality Improvement Study

Abstract Aim ProTetanus immunoassay is a bedside test used to determine if a patient has tetanus antibodies. It has been proven to be sensitive and specific at determining tetanus vaccination status. Although it is available on NHS Supply Chain, it is not widely used. Our aim was to prevent unnecessary Revaxis booster administrations as well as reduce the associated cost. Method Using a visual protocol based on trust and NICE guidelines, we determined which patients with tetanus prone wounds would otherwise require vaccination due to uncertainty of their previous immunisation. ProTetanus test was used to assess their immune status. If no immunity was shown, a booster was administered. A simple questionnaire was used to collect data on the test result, ease of use, and time required to perform the test. Results 18 responses were recorded over 2 months. 2 patients were unnecessarily tested but all patients were treated correctly. In terms of cost efficiency, Revaxis costs £10.16 per vial and ProTetanus £4.15 per test. Therefore, a negative test costs £14.31 and a positive test costs £4.15. In our unit, without ProTetanus, 17 doses of Revaxis would have been administered, costing £172.72. With ProTetanus, 8 doses were prevented, dropping the cost to £161.99. Conclusions The introduction of ProTetanus, prevents unnecessary tetanus booster administrations for our patients, improves the level of clinical care, and provides a cost reduction. We have demonstrated that the use of the immunoassays becomes easier with use and minimise reliance on registered nurses. We strongly advocate its use into other departments and units.

Seroprevalence of Diphtheria and Tetanus Immunoglobulin G among the General Health Population in Guangzhou, China.

A seroepidemiological study was conducted in 2018 to assess diphtheria and tetanus antibodies in Guangzhou, China. Diphtheria and tetanus antibody concentrations were measured with an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. A total of 715 subjects were enrolled in the study. The overall diphtheria and tetanus toxoid IgG-specific antibody levels were 0.126 IU/mL (95% CI: 0.115, 0.137) and 0.210 IU/mL (95% CI: 0.185, 0.240), respectively; the overall positivity rate was 61.82% (95% CI: 58.14, 65.39) and 71.61% (95% CI: 68.3, 74.92), respectively. The diphtheria and tetanus antibody concentration was decreased by age and increased by doses. The geometric mean concentrations and positivity rate of diphtheria and tetanus antibodies were lowest and below the essential protection level in people over 14 years of age. Compared to children and adolescents, middle-aged people and the aged are at much higher risk of infection with Corynebacterium diphtheriae and Clostridium tetani. The current diphtheria and tetanus immunization schedule does not provide persistent protection after childhood. There is an urgent need to adjust the current immunization schedule.

Quantitative analysis of pertussis, tetanus, and diphtheria antibodies in sera and breast milk from Tdap vaccinated women using a qualified multiplex assay.

Pertussis (whooping cough) has reemerged in recent years. Vaccination during pregnancy is an effective approach to prevent illness during the first months of life. We developed a multiplex assay for quantification of pertussis, tetanus, and diphtheria serum antibodies using the Meso Scale Discovery (MSD) platform; the method was qualified, and specificity, precision, accuracy, linearity, and limits of quantification were defined. It was also adapted for quantification of antibodies in breast milk. We successfully determined serostatus in women from different regions and with different vaccination histories, as well as responses to Tdap in blood and breast milk post-partum. This is the first description of a multiplex assay for the quantification of pertussis, tetanus, and diphtheria antibodies in breast milk.

Seroprevalence of tetanus and pertussis antibodies among health care workers in Wuhu, China

ABSTRACT This study aimed to elucidate the seroprevalence of antibodies to tetanus and pertussis among Chinese health care workers. Blood specimens from health care workers were collected during the 2021 annual medical examination at the First People’s Hospital of Wuhu. Commercial ELISA kits were employed to quantify serum IgG antibodies against tetanus toxin (anti-TT IgG) and both IgG and IgA antibodies against pertussis toxin (anti-PT IgG, anti-PT IgA). A concentration of anti-TT IgG exceeding 0.1 IU/ml was deemed seroprotective against tetanus, while concentrations of anti-PT IgG ≥ 50 IU/ml or anti-PT IgA ≥ 15 IU/ml were indicative of a prior pertussis infection. The overall seroprotective rate for anti-TT IgG stood at 10.43% (92/882), with the highest seroprotective rate (13.91%) in the 20–29 age group, followed by the 30–39 age group (10.57%), 40–49 age group (5.80%), and 50–59 age group (5.63%). Eighteen (2.04%) of the studied subjects were positive to anti-PT IgG, and the positive rate in 20–39 age group and 40–59 age group was 1.19% (8/673) and 4.78% (10/209), respectively. Thirty (3.40%) subjects displayed anti-PT IgG levels ≥100 IU/ml and/or anti-PT IgA ≥ 15 IU/ml, suggesting a recent pertussis infection within the preceding year. Over half (503/882, 57.03%) had undetectable anti-PT IgG antibodies. The majority of health care workers in China appear susceptible to tetanus and pertussis, and a significant subset has experienced pertussis infection. The implementation of booster vaccinations against these diseases for Chinese health care workers is recommended.

A case of dystonic spasms in an adolescent: A neurologist’s enigma!

A 15-year-old boy presented with episodic abnormal movements of the right upper limb, neck, and jaw for 10 days associated with pain and spasms, following a penetrating injury to his right hand 2 months ago. He was successfully managed for tetanus with antitoxin, antibiotics, wound debridement, and supportive care. He was found to have protective tetanus antibody levels (1.1 IU/mL). To encounter tetanus in a vaccinated individual with an atypical focal presentation is a cause for concern and requires awareness to avoid delay in diagnosis and management.

The Effects of Dairy Consumption on Vaccine Immune Response and Immunoglobulins: A Systematic Literature Review

Public health interest in vaccinations and immune protection has increased with the COVID-19 pandemic. Dairy products are an important source of protein and other nutrients, and there are unresolved research questions regarding the potential health impact of dairy products on the enhancement of immune response. A systematic literature review was conducted to synthesize the published literature reporting the effects of dairy interventions on: 1) the vaccine-specific immune response and 2) immunoglobulins in the absence of vaccination. To assess study validity and quality, we used the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Quality Criteria Checklist. Sixty-one studies (59 clinical trials, 1 cohort, 1 cross-sectional survey) were included, spanning 1983-2017. Ten trials evaluated the effect of dairy intervention on vaccine-specific IgG, IgA, IgM, vaccine-specific antibody titers, seroprotection rates, or seroconversion rates. Of these, 7 reported significant increases with dairy interventions for post-vaccine tetanus antibodies, mean change in tetanus antibody level, total antibody titers to flagellin from Salmonella Adelaide, mean antibody titers to influenza B, influenza-specific IgA and IgG levels, and seroconversion or seroprotection rates for influenza A and B. Fifty-six studies evaluated dairy’s effects on immunoglobulins without vaccinations. The results were heterogenous, with some studies reporting significant enhancement of immunoglobulins (IgA, IgE, or IgG), while others observed no differences between groups. Clinical relevance of the immunoglobulin changes was not investigated in these studies. Dairy products and their components could enhance the efficacy of vaccines. This review highlights the evidence gaps and provides a potential roadmap for additional research.

Antitetanus toxoid antibodies in mothers and neonates: a single-centre study from Uganda

BackgroundNeonatal mortality due to tetanus persists in Uganda despite the mandatory vaccination of pregnant mothers. Maternal antibodies wane within a year. Uganda’s maternal vaccination guidelines do not specify the timing...

The relationship between the character of the course of the disease, the level of tetanus and diphtheria antibodies, and indicators of general immunity in adults with infectious mononucleosis

ABSTRACT. EBV infection is one of the most common infections in the world. About 90 % of the world's population is infected with the Epstein-Barr virus. The Epstein-Barr virus is capable of affecting immunocompetent cells, causing lymphadenopathy, hepato- and splenomegaly, being stored forever in the body's lymphocytes, and causing an immunodeficient state. The aim of the study. The purpose of the study was to determine the relationships between the nature of the course of the disease for infectious mononucleosis (IM) in adults, the level of blood antibodies before tetanus and diphtheria, and general immunoreactivity. Materials and methods. In the first series of studies, blood antibodies was studied before diphtheria and tetanus in 79 adults. The control group consisted of 41 people. In the second series of studies, the immune status of 45 adults who became ill with IM was studied: 19 people who did not have a protective level of blood antibodies to diphtheria and tetanus (1st group) at the same time and 26 people (2nd group) who had a protective level of blood antibodies to these infections . In this work, the level of blood antibodies to diphtheria and tetanus toxin was studied by the ELISA method; population and subpopulation composition of blood lymphocytes using monoclonal antibodies: anti-CD3, CD4, CD8, CD22, CD16 (eBioscience, Beckman Coulter, R&D System). The proliferative activity of blood lymphocytes in the reaction of lymphocyte blast transformation was studied and the level of IgA, IgM, IgG in blood serum and the phagocytic activity of leukocytes. The results of the research were processed by the method of variation and correlation statistics using the "Statistica 10.0 for Windows" program. Results. It was established that 34.2% and 54,5 % of adults who developed MI in a moderate form did not have a protective level of blood antibodies for tetanus and diphtheria at the same time. A protective level of blood antibodies simultaneously before diphtheria and tetanus was observed in 55.2% of those who fell ill with IM in a moderate form and in 45,4 % of those who fell ill in a severe form. In persons who had a mild form of IM, the blood antibodies did not drop below the protective level before diphtheria and tetanus.The study of the immune status proved that in adults who do not have a protective level of blood antibodies against diphtheria and tetanus, the level of leukocytes, lymphocytes, CD3+, CD4+ - cells and the blast-transforming ability of T cells, the level of IgA, IgM, IgG, and the phagocytic ability of blood leukocytes are probably lower than in adults who have had an IM and have the protective blood antibodies level before these infections. Conclusions. The lack of a protective level of blood antibodies against diphtheria and tetanus in adults who have had IM is associated with a general low immunoreactivity of the body. A low level of blood antibodies before diphtheria and tetanus in persons who have had IM is closely related to the course of the disease. The lowest level of blood antibodies before these infections was observed in patients who fell ill with a severe form of IM, in patients with a mild form of the disease, significant changes in the level of blood antibodies before diphtheria and tetanus were not observed, as well as in the immune status.

Adjuvant Effect of Whole-Cell Pertussis Component on Tetanus Toxoid Potency in Murine Model.

There is currently an increasing interest in the development of new-generation purified antigen-based vaccines with a higher safety profile compared to conventional inactivated vaccines. The main problem of subunit vaccines is their lower immunogenicity compared to whole-cell vaccines and inducing weaker and shorter-lasting immune responses. In this paper, the results of the assay of the potency of the tetanus component combined with the diphtheria component and whole-cell pertussis vaccine (DTwP), diphtheria and tetanus vaccine (DT), and in monovalent tetanus vaccine (T) are presented. In the mice model, an adjuvant impact of the whole-cell pertussis component on the immune response against tetanus was observed. It was noticed that the potency of tetanus component in the DTwP vaccine was significantly higher than tetanus potency in DT and T vaccines, despite the same bounding ability unit of the tetanus toxoid in the vaccine formulations. The levels of induction of tetanus antibodies by the tested vaccines were also examined. There were no differences in the induction of humoral responses against tetanus by tested vaccines. This publication discusses the possible mechanisms of impact of the whole-cell pertussis component on the other vaccine antigens and the positive and negative aspects of using the whole-cell pertussis component as an adjuvant.

Seroprotection against tetanus in southern Vietnam.

Ongoing tetanus cases and sporadic outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases associated with routine vaccination programmes remain problems in many low and middle-income countries, including Vietnam. With no human-to-human transmission or natural immunity, tetanus antibody levels indicate both individual risk of tetanus and gaps in vaccination programmes. To investigate gaps in immunity to tetanus in Vietnam, a country with a historically high level of tetanus vaccination coverage, tetanus antibodies were measure by ELISA from samples selected from a long-term serum bank, established for the purposes of general-population seroepidemiological investigations in southern Vietnam. Samples were selected from 10 provinces, focussing on age-groups targeted by national vaccination programmes for infants and pregnant women (Expanded Programme on Immunization, EPI, and Maternal and Neonatal Tetanus, MNT). Antibodies were measured from a total of 3864 samples. Highest tetanus antibody concentrations occurred in children under 4years old, over 90% of whom had protective levels. Approximately 70% of children aged 7-12years had protective antibody concentrations although there was variation among provinces. For infants and children, there were no significant differences in tetanus protection between males and females, but for adults aged 20-35years, in five of the ten provinces surveyed, protection against tetanus was higher in females (p<0.05) who are eligible for booster doses under the MNT programme. In seven of ten provinces, antibody concentrations were inversely related to age (p<0.01) and protection of older individuals was generally low. Widespread immunity to tetanus toxoid is seen in infants and young children consistent with the high coverage rates reported for diptheria tetanus toxoid and pertussis (DTP) in Vietnam. However, the lower antibody concentrations seen in older children and men suggest reduced immunity to tetanus in populations not targeted by EPI and MNT programmes.

Reported History of Measles and Long-term Impact on Tetanus Antibody Detected in Children 9-59 Months of Age and Receiving 3 Doses of Tetanus Vaccine in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Recent studies suggest measles-induced immune amnesia could have long-term immunosuppressive effects via preferential depletion of memory CD150+ lymphocytes, and associations with a 2-3 year period of increased mortality and morbidity from infectious diseases other than measles has been shown in children from wealthy and low-income countries. To further examine the associations previous measles virus infection may have on immunologic memory among children in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), we assessed tetanus antibody levels among fully vaccinated children, with and without a history of measles. We assessed 711 children 9-59 months of age whose mothers were selected for interview in the 2013-2014 DRC Demographic and Health Survey. History of measles was obtained by maternal report and classification of children who had measles in the past was completed using maternal recall and measles IgG serostatus obtained from a multiplex chemiluminescent automated immunoassay dried blood spot analysis. Tetanus IgG antibody serostatus was similarly obtained. A logistic regression model was used to identify association of measles and other predictors with subprotective tetanus IgG antibody. Subprotective geometric mean concentration tetanus IgG antibody values were seen among fully vaccinated children 9-59 months of age, who had a history of measles. Controlling for potential confounding variables, children classified as measles cases were less likely to have seroprotective tetanus toxoid antibody (odds ratio: 0.21; 95% confidence interval: 0.08-0.55) compared with children who had not had measles. History of measles was associated with subprotective tetanus antibody among this sample of children in the DRC who were 9-59 months of age and fully vaccinated against tetanus.

Factors Associated with the Utilization of Tetanus Toxoid Immunization Services among Pregnant Women in Oepoi Health Center, Kupang, East Nusa Tenggara

Background: The tetanus toxoid (TT) immunization program is a process of building immunity as an effort to prevent tetanus infection. TT immunization is important to form tetanus antibodies that will prevent neonatal tetanus. The coverage of TT immunization in Oepoi Community Health Center Working Area in 2020 is classified as very low, which was only 37.06%. The low coverage of TT Immunization indicated a lack of utilization of immunization services by pregnant women. This study aimed to determine the factors associated with the utilization of Tetanus Toxoid immu­ni­zation services for pregnant women in the working area of the Oepoi Health Center. Subjects and Method: This cross-sectional study was conducted in the working area of the Oepoi Health Center, Kupang, East Nusa Tenggara from March to October 2022. A total of 46 third trimester pregnant women were selected by simple random sampling. The dependent variable was the TT immunization service. The independent variables were knowledge, the role of health workers, husband's support, and parity. Data was collected by using a questionnaire and analyzed by using the chi-square test. Results: There is a relationship between knowledge (OR= 48.00; 95%CI= 7.84 to 293.71; p&lt;0.001), the role of health workers (OR= 22.16; 95%CI= 2.57 to 190.99; p&lt;0.001) husband’s support (OR=10.85; 95%CI= 2.68 to 43.89; p&lt;0.001), parity (OR= 3.73; 95%CI= 1.08 to 12.90; p= 0.033) and the utilization of the TT immunization service in the Oepoi Health Center working area. Conclusion: Knowledge, the role of health workers, husband's support, parity are related with the utilization of TT immunization services in the working area of the Oepoi Health Center. Keywords: immunization, tetanus toxoid, pregnant women. Correspondence: Chintya Leba Leo. Faculty of Public Health, Universitas Nusa Cendana Kupang. Jl. Adisucipto Number 1 Penfui Kotak Pos 104 Kupang 85001, East Nusa Tenggara. Email: chintya­leba­leo@gmail.com. Mobile: +62 813-3855-7740. Journal of Health Promotion and Behavior (2023), 08(01): 58-64 DOi: https://doi.org/10.26911/thejhpb.2023.08.01.08

Evaluation of Tetanus Seropositivity in Healthcare Professionals by Age and Occupational Groups

Objective: Our country has limited data on protective antibody levels following primary tetanus immunization. In this study, we planned to evaluate the tetanus antibody seroprevalence of healthcare workers in our hospital according to age and occupational groups. Methods: Tetanus antibody levels were determined by the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method. Antibody results were obtained through the hospital operating system, and the tetanus antibody level ≥0.5 IU/mL was considered seropositive. Results: 77.5% of 2082 healthcare workers were seropositive. According to age groups, the highest seropositivity was between 20-29; the lowest seropositivity was found in individuals over 50 years of age and over (66.3%). We determined that tetanus antibody protection decreased with age (p=0.03). There was no difference between tetanus seropositivity according to occupational groups. Conclusion: Antibody levels of tetanus decrease with age, and protection decreases significantly, especially over 50 years of age. It is important to apply a booster dose every ten years following the primary vaccine schedule in tetanus immunization.

Pertussis, diphtheria, and tetanus antibodies seroprevalence in pregnant women and neonates, as a preliminary data for introduction of preconception or prenatal DTaP vaccination among Japanese society

An increasing number of countries have been introducing acellular pertussis vaccination during pregnancy for the prevention of neonatal pertussis. In response to the fact that infantile pertussis cases of 0–5 months age groups remained unchanged despite the universal vaccination program, prenatal pertussis vaccination has been a rising issue in Japan. Hence, we investigated the seroprevalence of pertussis, diphtheria, and tetanus antibodies in Japanese pregnant women and neonates, and evaluated the necessity of diphtheria-tetanus-acellular pertussis (DTaP) vaccination during the preconception or prenatal period. Maternal PT-IgG (EIA) and FHA-IgG (EIA) for the first trimester, within 1 week after delivery, and cord blood were collected, along with colostrum pertussis-IgA (ELISA), diphtheria-IgG (EIA), tetanus-IgG (EIA), and blood samples from the first trimester. The maternal seroprevalence of PT-IgG and FHA-IgG was 69 % and 75 %, respectively. All tested participants were positive for diphtheria-IgG and tetanus-IgG (100 %). First trimester PT-IgG/FHA-IgG antibody titers were significantly associated with cord blood PT-IgG/FHA-IgG titers (P < 0.001). We found that pertussis seroprevalence among pregnant Japanese women was approximately 70 %. The antibody seropositivity rate of pertussis was lower than that of diphtheria and tetanus. Fetal acquired passive immunity against pertussis is higher when the level of maternal antibody in the first trimester is sufficient. At least 30 % of study population did not reach to the threshold value to provide sufficient pertussis immunity for the neonates and themselves. The acellular pertussis vaccine (DTaP) approved in Japan lacks safety information for pregnancy, hence, a solution for prompt administration of prenatal acellular pertussis vaccination might be introducing DTaP in the preconception period.

A Clinical Trial of Entolimod a TLR-5 Adjuvant for Vaccines Using Diphtheria or Tetanus as Carrier Proteins.

Anti-drug vaccines previously failed clinical trials because they did not provide a sufficient titer or duration of antibodies (AB), but new adjuvants enhance both AB titers and efficacy duration. This clinical trial assessed AB titers after a single booster of commercial tetanus-diphtheria (Td) vaccine in 40 males randomized as 15 to Td alone and 25 to Td combined with the TLR5 adjuvant, Entolimod (Ent). Ent significantly increased ABs against diphtheria (DPT) (0.46 vs. 0.29 IU/mL increase; n = 40, p < 0.05), but against tetanus (TT) only if baseline TT AB was below 3 IU/mL (3.1 vs. 2.1 IU/mL; n = 20; p < 0.05). These 20 participants also showed a two-fold increase in anti-TT AB titer more often when given Ent than non-Ent (33% vs. 82%) (p < 0.03). Anti-Ent AB was low and appeared unlikely to reduce Ent efficacy after repeated Ent administration. Medical safety was excellent, and a TLR5 missense polymorphism reduced anti-DPT AB production, but Ent increased anti-DPT AB titers to levels induced in subjects with genetically “normal” TRL5 functioning. Further clinical testing of TLR5 adjuvants like Ent seems warranted for anti-drug vaccines.

Infants' diminished response to DTaP vaccine is associated with exposure to organophosphate esters.

Organophosphate esters (OPEs) are commonly applied as flame retardants and plasticizers. Toxicological studies suggest exposure effects on immune endpoints, raising concerns as infants' OPE exposures are elevated compared to older children and adults due to hand-to-mouth behavior and breastfeeding. Here, we sought to evaluate the immune responsiveness of infants to a neoantigen (e.g., a newly encountered antigen) in the presence of OPE exposures. As a proxy for immune responsiveness, children were given three doses of the Diphtheria, Tetanus, and Pertussis (DTaP) vaccine as recommended, and diphtheria and tetanus antibodies were evaluated in serum samples collected when children were 12 months old (n = 84). Titers were compared, based on maximum sample overlap, to measurements of OPE metabolites in spot urine samples collected before vaccination (age 2 months, n = 73) and at the time of antibody assessment (12 months of age, n = 46). Metabolites of two chlorinated OPEs were significantly associated with diminished antibodies for diphtheria and tetanus. A metabolite of tris (1,3-dichloroisopropyl)phosphate (TDCIPP) measured at 2 months was associated with decreased diphtheria antibodies (-0.07 IU/mL per log10 increase in metabolite). One metabolite of tris(2-chloroisopropyl)phosphate (TCIPP) measured at 12 months was associated with decreased tetanus antibodies (-0.57 IU/mL per log10 increase in metabolite). These results provide some preliminary insights for OPE exposure impacts on vaccine responses in early life and may have important implications for immune health through childhood and adulthood.

A prospective study of the infant gut microbiome in relation to vaccine response.

The establishment of the gut microbiome plays a key symbiotic role in the developing immune system; however, its influence on vaccine response is yet uncertain. We prospectively investigated the composition and diversity of the early-life gut microbiome in relation to infant antibody response to two routinely administered vaccines. Eighty-three infants enrolled in the New Hampshire Birth Cohort Study were included in the analysis. We collected blood samples at 12 months of age and assayed the isolated serum to quantify total IgG and measured antibody to pneumococcal capsular polysaccharide and tetanus toxoid. Stool samples were collected from infants at 6 weeks of age and sequenced using 16S rRNA, and a subset of 61 samples were sequenced using shotgun metagenomics sequencing. We observed differences in beta diversity for 16S 6-week stool microbiota and pneumococcal and tetanus IgG antibody responses. Metagenomics analyses identified species and metabolic pathways in 6-week stool associated with tetanus antibody response, in particular, negative associations with the relative abundance of Aeriscardovia aeriphila species and positive associations with the relative abundance of species associated with CDP-diacylglycerol biosynthesis pathways. The early gut microbiome composition may influence an infant's vaccine response. Early intestinal microbiome acquisition plays a critical role in immune maturation and in both adaptive and innate immune response in infancy. We identified associations between early life microbiome composition and response to two routinely administered vaccines-pneumococcal capsular polysaccharide and tetanus toxoid-measured at approximately 1 year of age. Our findings highlight the potential impact of the gut microbiome on infant immune response that may open up opportunities for future interventions.

Tetanus seroprotection among children in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, 2013-2014.

BackgroundTetanus is a potentially fatal disease that is preventable through vaccination. While the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has continued to improve implementing routine vaccination activities throughout the country, they have struggled to maintain high childhood vaccine coverage. This study aims to examine the seroprevalence of tetanus in children 6 to 59 months to identify areas for intervention and improvement of vaccination coverage.MethodsIn collaboration with the 2013–2014 Demographic and Health Survey, we assessed the seroprevalence of tetanus antibodies among children in the DRC. Dried blood spot samples collected from children 6–59 months of age were processed using a prototype DYNEX Multiplier® chemiluminescent automated immunoassay instrument with a multiplex measles, mumps, rubella, varicella and tetanus assay. Multivariable logistic regression was used to determine factors associated with tetanus vaccination and seroprotection.ResultsOverall, 36.1% of children 6–59 months of age reported receiving at least 1 dose of tetanus vaccine while 28.7% reported receiving 3 doses; tetanus seroprotection was 40%. Increasing age in children was associated with decreased tetanus seroprotection, but increased number tetanus vaccinations received. Factors related to increased tetanus seroprotection included number of children in the household, wealth index of the family, urban residence compared to rural, level of maternal education, and province and geography.ConclusionsOur findings in this nationally representative sample indicate that serology biomarkers may help identify children who are not fully immunized to tetanus more accurately than reported vaccination. While children may be captured for routine immunization activities, as children age, decreasing seroprevalence may indicate additional need to bolster routine vaccination activities and documentation of vaccination in school aged children. Additionally, the study highlights gaps in rural residential areas and vaccination coverage based on maternal education, indicating that policies targeting maternal education and awareness could improve the coverage and seroprevalence of tetanus antibodies in the DRC.

Prussian Blue Nanozymes with Enhanced Catalytic Activity: Size Tuning and Application in ELISA-like Immunoassay.

Prussian blue nanozymes possessing peroxidase-like activity gather significant attention as alternatives to natural enzymes in therapy, biosensing, and environmental remediation. Recently, Prussian blue nanoparticles with enhanced catalytic activity prepared by reduction of FeCl3/K3[Fe(CN)6] mixture have been reported. These nanoparticles were denoted as ‘artificial peroxidase’ nanozymes. Our study provides insights into the process of their synthesis. We studied how the size of nanozymes and synthesis yield can be controlled via adjustment of the synthesis conditions. Based on these results, we developed a reproducible and scalable method for the preparation of ‘artificial peroxidase’ with tunable sizes and enhanced catalytic activity. Nanozymes modified with gelatin shell and functionalized with affine molecules were applied as labels in colorimetric immunoassays of prostate-specific antigen and tetanus antibodies, enabling detection of these analytes in the range of clinically relevant concentrations. Protein coating provides excellent colloidal stability of nanozymes in physiological conditions and stability upon long-term storage.

Health status and healthcare services utilisation among unaccompanied asylum-seeking minors settled in Switzerland: a protocol for a retrospective cohort study from a hospital-based youth outpatient clinic

IntroductionUnaccompanied asylum-seeking minors (UASMs) represent a population group with complex healthcare needs. Initial and ongoing healthcare is challenging for host countries but considered essential. This publication describes the protocol concerning...