Rates of tetanus protection and transplacental tetanus antibody transfer in pregnant women from different socioeconomic groups in Peru

Clin Diagn Lab Immunol. 1996 Nov;3(6):753-5. doi: 10.1128/cdli.3.6.753-755.1996.

Abstract

In developing countries, neonatal tetanus causes significant mortality. Using a new competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay to measure anti-tetanus toxin antibody levels, we compared rates of protection, total antibody levels, and maternal-to-fetal antibody ratios between different socioeconomic groups in Peru. Upper-middle-class women 25 years and older had significantly lower rates of protection and mean anti-tetanus toxin antibody levels than did lower-class women of the same age. Nevertheless, the former had higher fetal-to-maternal antibody ratios, independent of maternal age, total antibody levels, or parity. We conclude that future vaccination programs in Latin America must target upper-middle-class as well as lower-class women.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Antibodies, Bacterial / immunology*
  • Antibodies, Bacterial / metabolism*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Immunity, Maternally-Acquired / immunology*
  • Middle Aged
  • Peru / epidemiology
  • Pregnancy
  • Social Class*
  • Tetanus / prevention & control*
  • Tetanus Toxin / immunology

Substances

  • Antibodies, Bacterial
  • Tetanus Toxin