Seroprevalence and determinants of diphtheria, tetanus and poliomyelitis antibodies among adults in Berlin, Germany

The immunity levels against diphtheria, tetanus and poliomyelitis were inve stigated among blood donors (n = 2079) in Berlin. Of all participants, only 60% had full, long-term protection against diphtheria. 72% against tetanus , 87% against poliomyelitis type 1, 77% against poliomyelitis type 2 and 73 % against type 3. There was a striking decrease of tetanus and diphtheria i mmunity levels by age. Immunity levels against tetanus were higher among ma les, whereas females were better protected against poliomyelitis. After adj usting for confounding effects in logistic regression diphtheria immunity i n those aged <40 years was significantly higher in participants from East-B erlin. whereas the immunity levels against poliomyelitis were higher in Wes t-Berlin. These differences reflect the different vaccination policies in E ast-Germany and West-Germany before 1989. There is a need to improve the im munity levels of the adult population in Berlin. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.