Long-Term Immunity Against Tetanus and Diphtheria after Vaccination of Allogeneic Stem Cell Transplantation Recipients. 2023

Sigrun Einarsdottir, and Ingigerdur Sverrisdottir, and Krista Vaht, and Tomas Bergström, and Mats Brune, and P-O Andersson, and Christine Wenneras, and Per Ljungman
Department of Hematology and Coagulation, Institute of Medicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden. Electronic address: sigrun.einarsdottir@vgregion.se.

Revaccination against tetanus and diphtheria after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HCT) is usually effective, but the duration of the immunity is unknown. We conducted this study to evaluate humoral immunity to tetanus and diphtheria in long-term survivors and to provide knowledge regarding the need for boosters. The median time from HCT to blood sampling was 14 years (range, 8 to 40 years). All patients had received at least 3 doses of vaccines against both tetanus and diphtheria, either monovalent or combination vaccines containing a full dose of the diphtheria toxoid component. In addition, 1 or more booster doses were administered to 21 of the 146 patients (14%). On enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, levels <.1 IU/mL for diphtheria and <.01 IU/mL for tetanus were considered low or seronegative. Values between .01 and .5 IU/mL for tetanus and between .1 and 1.0 IU/mL for diphtheria were considered to represent partial protection, and levels >.5 and >1.0 IU/mL were considered high and protective, respectively. In all, 39% of patients were seronegative against diphtheria, 52% had some protection, and 9% had a high titer. In contrast, no patient had become seronegative to tetanus, 32% had "partial protection" against tetanus and 68% had a high titer. In multivariate analysis, active graft-versus-host-disease, sex, or time from sampling did not affect the probability of becoming seronegative or seropositive. Younger age was associated with lower antibody levels to tetanus toxoid, but age was not correlated with antibody levels against diphtheria toxoid. Tetanus immunity was maintained after vaccination in most long-term survivors, but immunity against diphtheria was poor, and boosters should be considered.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D003352 Corynebacterium A genus of asporogenous bacteria that is widely distributed in nature. Its organisms appear as straight to slightly curved rods and are known to be human and animal parasites and pathogens.
D004165 Diphtheria A localized infection of mucous membranes or skin caused by toxigenic strains of CORYNEBACTERIUM DIPHTHERIAE. It is characterized by the presence of a pseudomembrane at the site of infection. DIPHTHERIA TOXIN, produced by C. diphtheriae, can cause myocarditis, polyneuritis, and other systemic toxic effects. Corynebacterium diphtheriae Infection,Corynebacterium diphtheriae Infections,Infection, Corynebacterium diphtheriae
D004168 Diphtheria Toxoid The formaldehyde-inactivated toxin of Corynebacterium diphtheriae. It is generally used in mixtures with TETANUS TOXOID and PERTUSSIS VACCINE; (DTP); or with tetanus toxoid alone (DT for pediatric use and Td, which contains 5- to 10-fold less diphtheria toxoid, for other use). Diphtheria toxoid is used for the prevention of diphtheria; DIPHTHERIA ANTITOXIN is for treatment. Diphtheria Vaccine,Toxoid, Diphtheria,Vaccine, Diphtheria
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000907 Antibodies, Bacterial Immunoglobulins produced in a response to BACTERIAL ANTIGENS. Bacterial Antibodies
D013742 Tetanus A disease caused by tetanospasmin, a powerful protein toxin produced by CLOSTRIDIUM TETANI. Tetanus usually occurs after an acute injury, such as a puncture wound or laceration. Generalized tetanus, the most common form, is characterized by tetanic muscular contractions and hyperreflexia. Localized tetanus presents itself as a mild condition with manifestations restricted to muscles near the wound. It may progress to the generalized form. Clostridium tetani Infection,Clostridium tetani Infections,Infection, Clostridium tetani,Infections, Clostridium tetani
D013745 Tetanus Toxoid Tetanus Vaccine,Toxoid, Tetanus,Vaccine, Tetanus
D014611 Vaccination Administration of vaccines to stimulate the host's immune response. This includes any preparation intended for active immunological prophylaxis. Immunization, Active,Active Immunization,Active Immunizations,Immunizations, Active,Vaccinations
D018380 Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation Transfer of HEMATOPOIETIC STEM CELLS from BONE MARROW or BLOOD between individuals within the same species (TRANSPLANTATION, HOMOLOGOUS) or transfer within the same individual (TRANSPLANTATION, AUTOLOGOUS). Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation has been used as an alternative to BONE MARROW TRANSPLANTATION in the treatment of a variety of neoplasms. Stem Cell Transplantation, Hematopoietic,Transplantation, Hematopoietic Stem Cell

Related Publications

Sigrun Einarsdottir, and Ingigerdur Sverrisdottir, and Krista Vaht, and Tomas Bergström, and Mats Brune, and P-O Andersson, and Christine Wenneras, and Per Ljungman
December 2004, Bone marrow transplantation,
Sigrun Einarsdottir, and Ingigerdur Sverrisdottir, and Krista Vaht, and Tomas Bergström, and Mats Brune, and P-O Andersson, and Christine Wenneras, and Per Ljungman
August 2009, [Rinsho ketsueki] The Japanese journal of clinical hematology,
Sigrun Einarsdottir, and Ingigerdur Sverrisdottir, and Krista Vaht, and Tomas Bergström, and Mats Brune, and P-O Andersson, and Christine Wenneras, and Per Ljungman
January 2015, Deutsches Arzteblatt international,
Sigrun Einarsdottir, and Ingigerdur Sverrisdottir, and Krista Vaht, and Tomas Bergström, and Mats Brune, and P-O Andersson, and Christine Wenneras, and Per Ljungman
March 2011, Biology of blood and marrow transplantation : journal of the American Society for Blood and Marrow Transplantation,
Sigrun Einarsdottir, and Ingigerdur Sverrisdottir, and Krista Vaht, and Tomas Bergström, and Mats Brune, and P-O Andersson, and Christine Wenneras, and Per Ljungman
May 2021, Transplantation and cellular therapy,
Sigrun Einarsdottir, and Ingigerdur Sverrisdottir, and Krista Vaht, and Tomas Bergström, and Mats Brune, and P-O Andersson, and Christine Wenneras, and Per Ljungman
November 2012, Pediatric blood & cancer,
Sigrun Einarsdottir, and Ingigerdur Sverrisdottir, and Krista Vaht, and Tomas Bergström, and Mats Brune, and P-O Andersson, and Christine Wenneras, and Per Ljungman
May 2010, Klinische Padiatrie,
Sigrun Einarsdottir, and Ingigerdur Sverrisdottir, and Krista Vaht, and Tomas Bergström, and Mats Brune, and P-O Andersson, and Christine Wenneras, and Per Ljungman
February 2021, Vaccine,
Sigrun Einarsdottir, and Ingigerdur Sverrisdottir, and Krista Vaht, and Tomas Bergström, and Mats Brune, and P-O Andersson, and Christine Wenneras, and Per Ljungman
February 2023, Cancer science,
Sigrun Einarsdottir, and Ingigerdur Sverrisdottir, and Krista Vaht, and Tomas Bergström, and Mats Brune, and P-O Andersson, and Christine Wenneras, and Per Ljungman
January 2015, Haematologica,
Copied contents to your clipboard!