Seroprevalence and The Degree of Seroprotection against Diphtheria in Medical Students of University of Medicine (2) Yangon

Diphtheria is a vaccine preventable childhood disease caused by toxin-producing strains of Corynebacterium species. Most people had been immunized in childhood. However, most had lost vaccine an! bodies over time. A total of 81 serum samples from medical students aged between 18-22 years of University of Medicine (2), collected during 2018 and 2019 were tested for diphtheria an! toxin levels by the enzyme linked immunosorbent assay method. Among 81 students 93% showed seropositivity, however, number of participants with full protection to diphtheria (serum Ig G level > = 0.1 IU/ml) was low (13, 16%). Insufficient seroprotection (serum Ig G level 0.01 – < 0.1 IU/ml) was seen among 77.8% of students (63). A lack of seroprotection (serum Ig G level < 0.01 IU/ml) was seen in 6.2% of students (5) indicating these students are greatly susceptible to diphtheria. Sero-protective rate is higher in 19 year age group students (11/65, 16.9%) than other age groups. Seropositivity and seroprotection was higher in female than male. Three fourths of the students revealed insufficient seroprotection and needs a booster dose. Booster doses of diphtheria toxoid vaccines should be administered to those participants with insufficient immunity in this study.