Immunological surveys of diphtheric antitoxic antibodies in some African and Asian countries.

Immunological surveys of diphtheric antitoxic antibodies confirmed the existence of a high circulation of Corynebacterium diphtheriae in some African and Asian countries. The high immunity level in early childhood confirms the well known fact that other forms of diphtheria, in particular the cutaneous forms, participate in the formation of antitoxic antibodies. Immunological surveys can determine relatively exactly the extent of risk of infection in the separate age groups and thus delimit the range of the planned vaccination campaigns. Exact determination of the age groups eligible for vaccination makes it possible efficaciously to employ the means allotted for the health services. In some cases, it is possible to dispense with vaccination altogether. However, it should be borne in mind that a change in the socio-economic conditions and increasing urbanization of these countries may induce a radical change in the situation. Children not protected from the cutaneous forms thanks to a better hygienic and social standard, might fall ill with diphtheria of the throat in the future. It is therefore advisable to continue the follow-up of the immune state of the child population at several years time intervals and, in case of necessity, timely to intervene by vaccinating the endangered groups.