ABSTRACT
To evaluate the use of antibody detection kits in the diagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis in an endemic area, serum samples from cases (sputum smear positive for AFB) and controls (healthy young adults) were collected and tested using five different kits. Sensitivity, specificity and predictive values were calculated using smear positivity as gold standard. Sensitivity of tests varied from 46% to 68% and the specificity from 68% to 100%. None of the kits evaluated can be used as a single screening test for tuberculosis. However kits with good specificity may be used in conjunction with conventional methods for diagnosis.
Subject(s)
Antigens, Bacterial/analysis , Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay/methods , Humans , Predictive Value of Tests , Reagent Kits, Diagnostic , Sensitivity and Specificity , Serologic Tests , Sputum/microbiology , Tuberculosis, Pulmonary/diagnosisSubject(s)
Antibodies, Bacterial/analysis , Child , Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay , Hemagglutination Tests , Humans , Immunoglobulin M/immunology , Mycoplasma pneumoniae/immunology , Pharyngitis/microbiology , Pneumonia, Mycoplasma/diagnosis , Prospective Studies , Respiratory Tract Infections/microbiologyABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Tetanus toxoid immunization is an integral part of the maternal and child health programme in developing countries. It is likely that many women may have had childhood immunization and so already have antitetanus antibodies at the time of their first antenatal visit. A single dose of tetanus toxoid injection can boost the levels of antitetanus antibodies in these women. This study was undertaken to assess the previous immunization status by verbal history and assess the effect of a single tetanus toxoid injection in young women. METHODS: Ninety-nine unmarried women between 18 and 22 years of age were enrolled for the study. The history of childhood immunization was obtained from their mothers. Blood samples were collected to measure IgG antibody levels to tetanus using ELISA. Antibody levels were also measured on day 14 after a dose of tetanus toxoid injection. RESULTS: Of the 99 women studied, 81 had a history of childhood immunization while 18 did not. Overall, 92% of the women had protective levels of antibodies at the time of first testing and 99% of the women were protected with a single dose of tetanus toxoid. CONCLUSION: In areas with good maternal and child health services, a single booster dose of tetanus toxoid can be considered adequate for primigravidae with a history of childhood immunization.