LACK OF EARLY ANTITOXIN RESPONSE TO TETANUS BOOSTER

Tetanus immune globulin (TIG) continues to be recommended in persons w ith tetanus-prone wounds who have incomplete or unknown tetanus immuni zation status. The aim of this study was to determine whether, followi ng a booster dose of tetanus toxoid in adults who had not been immuniz ed in the previous 10 years, there was an antitoxin response to tetanu s toxoid booster within 4 days. Thirty-one adults were investigated, b aseline levels for tetanus antitoxin assayed using an ELISA technique, and an injection of adsorbed tetanus toxoid (0.5 ml) given. Blood sam ples for tetanus antitoxin levels were taken at daily intervals for th e 4 days following immunization. Tetanus boosters following the primar y course but before the present study did not significantly increase t he levels of pre-study tetanus antitoxin and following the study boost er there was no difference between the preboost levels and the levels on days 1 to 4. This finding indicates that the present recommendation s for the use of TIG in tetanus-prone wounds are appropriate.