PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - Al-Mazrou, Yagob Y.
AU  - Khalil, Mohamed K.
AU  - ElGizouli, Sirag A.
AU  - Al-Jeffri, Mohamed H.
AU  - Bakhsh, Mohamed M.
AU  - Mishkais, Ameen A.
TI  - Diphtheria, pertussis, and tetanus serosurvey in Saudi children
DP  - 2007 Aug 01
TA  - Saudi Medical Journal
PG  - 1230--1233
VI  - 28
IP  - 8
4099  - http://smj.org.sa/content/28/8/1230.short
4100  - http://smj.org.sa/content/28/8/1230.full
SO  - Saudi Med J2007 Aug 01; 28
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To evaluate immune protection against vaccine-preventable diseases targeted by the Expanded Program of Immunization in Saudi Arabia.METHODS: The study was carried out from September 2001 to February 2002. Using multistage sampling techniques, samples were collected from 5 regions of Saudi Arabia and sent for laboratory assay from the following age groups; 50 samples at 12 months, 50 at 6 years, and 100 at 17 years. Sera were assayed for diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis. Sero neutralization was used for anti-diphtheria antibody assay, while enzyme linked immunoassay was used for anti-tetanus, anti-filament hemoagglutination (anti-FHA), and anti-pertussis titer (anti-PT) antibody assay.RESULTS: This survey showed that 100% of children had protection levels (>/=0.01 IU/ml) against diphtheria at one year, 100% at 6 years, and 93.7% at 17 years. For tetanus, 95.9% had protection levels (>/=0.1 IU/ml) at one year, 100% at 6 years, and 98.9% at 17 years. The geometric mean titer (GMT) of anti-FHA is 22 at one year, 29 at 6 years, and 24 IU/ml at 17 years, while the GMT of anti-PT is 36 at one year, 18 at 6 years, and 11 IU/ml at 17 years.CONCLUSION: Children at one, 6, and 17 years are well protected against diphtheria, pertussis, and tetanus.