These tools will no longer be maintained as of December 31, 2024. Archived website can be found here. PubMed4Hh GitHub repository can be found here. Contact NLM Customer Service if you have questions.


Pubmed for Handhelds

PUBMED FOR HANDHELDS

Search MEDLINE/PubMed

  • Title: [Immunity against tetanus is often lacking in the elderly].
    Author: Hof H, Bartel J.
    Journal: Dtsch Med Wochenschr; 2011 Jan; 136(4):148-50. PubMed ID: 21246472.
    Abstract:
    BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: It is generally recommended to vaccinate elderly people against tetanus. Is this really essential? PATIENTS AND METHODS: The levels of antibodies to tetanus toxin in serum of 2936 individuals of various age groups were determined by means of an ELISA. RESULTS: Obviously, the antibody titers definitely diminish in the old individuals. About 50 % of people > 80 years possess antibody titers < 0.5 IU/ml and about 30 % antibody titers < 0.1 IU/ml, which means that they are not absolutely protected against tetanus. CONCLUSION: This, however is not due to a general decline of antibodies, since levels of immunoglobulins of the classes IgG, IgM and especially of IgA are higher with growing age.It can be assumed that the awareness for the necessity for vaccination is lacking.
    [Abstract] [Full Text] [Related] [New Search]