چکیده
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Background: Pertussis is a highly communicable, vaccine-preventable respiratory infection.
Immune response against this disease can be induced by infection or vaccination. Protection after
childhood vaccination is minimal after ten years. Our aim was to assess pertussis immunity state in
a population of healthy young medical students.
Methods: In this seroepidemiological survey, blood samples were obtained from 163 first-year
medical students in Hamedan University, Iran. Serum level of IgG against pertussis toxin (IgG-PT)
was measured by Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) method. For qualitative
assessment, IgG-PT levels more than 24 unit (U)/ml were considered positive. Data was analysed
qualitatively and quantitatively considering gender and age groups.
Results: There were 83 males and 80 females, with a mean age of 19.48 years, Prevalence of IgGPT was 47.6% with mean level of 71.7 u/ml (95% confidence interval: 68.1–75.3). No statistically
significant difference was observed with respect to sero-positivity of IgG-PT between males and
females (45 cases (54%) vs. 34 cases (42%); P = 0.06). Mean IgG-PT levels in males and females were
84 U/ml and 58.8 U/ml, respectively (P = 0.91).
Conclusion: A considerable proportion of our study population with a positive history of
childhood vaccination for pertussis was not serologically immune to pertussis. A booster dose of
acellular pertussis vaccine may be indicated in Iranian, medical students regarding their serologic
conditions and outstanding role in health care systems.
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