A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal

Circulation of pertussis and poor protection against diphtheria among middle-aged adults in 18 European countries




AuthorsBerbers Guy, van Gageldonk Pieter, van de Kassteele Jan, Wiedermann Ursula, Desombere Isabelle, Dalby Tine, Toubiana Julie, Tsiodras Sotirios, Ferencz Ildikó Paluska, Mullan Kathryn, Griskevicius Algirdas, Kolupajeva Tatjana, Vestrheim Didrik Frimann, Palminha Paula, Popovici Odette, Wehlin Lena, Kastrin Tamara, Maďarová Lucia, Campbell Helen, Ködmön Csaba, Bacci Sabrina, Barkoff Alex-Mikael, He Qiushui; Serosurveillance Study Team

PublisherNature Research

Publication year2021

JournalNature Communications

Journal name in sourceNature Communications

Article number2871

Volume12

Issue1

ISSN2041-1723

eISSN2041-1723

DOIhttps://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-021-23114-y

Web address https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-021-23114-y

Self-archived copy’s web addresshttps://research.utu.fi/converis/portal/detail/Publication/59421885


Abstract

Reported incidence of pertussis in the European Union (EU) and the European Economic Area (EEA) varies and may not reflect the real situation, while vaccine-induced protection against diphtheria and tetanus seems sufficient. We aimed to determine the seroprevalence of DTP antibodies in EU/EEA countries within the age groups of 40-49 and 50-59 years. Eighteen countries collected around 500 samples between 2015 and 2018 (N = 10,302) which were analysed for IgG-DTP specific antibodies. The proportion of sera with pertussis toxin antibody levels ≥100 IU/mL, indicative of recent exposure to pertussis was comparable for 13/18 countries, ranging between 2.7-5.8%. For diphtheria the proportion of sera lacking the protective level (<0.1 IU/mL) varied between 22.8-82.0%. For tetanus the protection was sufficient. Here, we report that the seroprevalence of pertussis in these age groups indicates circulation of B. pertussis across EU/EEA while the lack of vaccine-induced seroprotection against diphtheria is of concern and deserves further attention.


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