Efficacy of diphtheria and tetanus vaccination in Gaza, Palestine

This study evaluated the effectiveness and usefulness of vaccination against diphtheria and tetanus in different age groups in Gaza, Palestine. Blood samples were collected from 180 children aged < 12 years, 90 males and 90 females. Using ELISA methods, the efficacy of vaccination was estimated at 87.8% for diphtheria and 98.3% for tetanus. Mean serum titres varied significantly by age group: for diphtheria 0.24 IU/mL at age 2-4 years, 0.63 IU/mL at 7-8 years and 0.46 IU/mL at 11-12 years, and for tetanus 1.01 IU/mL, 2.63 IU/mL and 1.20 IU/mL respectively. The relatively low antibody titres, especially for diphtheria, suggest the need for a booster dose

RHD gene polymorphism among Palestinians of Gaza strip

Rh system is one of the highly complex blood group systems with many serologically defined Rh antigens. These antigens are expressed by proteins encoded by a pair of highly homologous genes located on chromosome 1. RHCE gene encodes the CcEe antigens, while the RHD encodes the D antigen. RhD is the most important, immunogenic and polymorphic Rh antigen from the clinical aspects [comprising at least 30 epitopes], as it plays a key role in transfusion medicine. Anti-D antibodies remain the leading cause of the hemolytic disease of the newborn [HDN], and antigen D compatible transfusion is a standard practice in transfusion therapy. Partial D lacks one or more D epitopes, and a partial D individual may be immunized on exposure to a normal D positive during blood transfusion or pregnancy. The DVI and DNB variants are the most frequent partial Ds that lack some D epitopes, DVI is usually typed as D negative while DNB is typed as D positive. We have examined 102 genomic DNA samples collected from blood donors expressing D positive [79 samples] and negative phenotypes [23 samples], to detect DVI and DNB variants, and to investigate the molecular basis of Rh negative phenotype. To verify the DVI variant; simplex PCR was used to detect the presence or absence of RHD exon 10/intron 4, while PCR-SSP was used to detect the DNB variant. Three DVI and three DNB samples were detected. The PCR results indicated a deletion of RHD gene in D negative specimens. The results show that the frequency of the DVI phenotype in Palestinians is greater than expected and routine screening for this phenotype should become mandatory for equivocal weak D blood samples