Immunity against diphtheria in adults in Poland

Abstract

The diphtheria immunity status was determined with the passive haemagglutination technique in 503 sera of 10–90-year-old persons from Warsaw and Olsztyn Provinces. Donors of sera were students, teachers, pregnant women, employees of industry and medical service. The immunity was highest (90% of titers 0·1 lU/ml or higher) in persons below 20 years of age and in persons above 60 years of age (55%). Between these two groups, gaps in immunity exist, the proportion of those immune varying from 36–50% in the 20- 60-year-old groups. © 1989, Cambridge University Press. All rights reserved.