[Antibodies to tetanus toxoid in children from areas with different heavy levels of air pollution].

The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between different levels of air pollution and IgG antibody titers against tetanus toxoid in sera of 6 year old children (n = 354). Additionally, other parameters of the humoral immune response (immunoglobulins G, A, M, total IgE, complement component C3c, C-reactive protein (CRP)) were analysed. The index areas were Leipzig, Magdeburg (Saxony/Saxe-Anhalt), and Duisburg, Dortmund (Ruhr region). The control areas were Osterburg and Borken. IgG antibodies against tetanus toxoid were measured by ELISA in sera of children vaccinated three times DPT in early childhood. The other humoral parameters were measured by nephelometry. In comparison to the control area Borken the sera of children living in the index areas Duisburg and Dortmund showed a lower antibody titer. There were no differences between the index areas (Leipzig, Magdeburg) and the control area Osterburg. It has to be taken into account that the choice of Osterburg as a control area is problematic because of the lack of data on air pollution. Statistically, there was no relationship between antibody titer against tetanus toxoid and the additionally measured parameters of the humoral immune response.