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Immunologic response to tetanus toxoid in the elderly: one-year follow-up.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To determine whether elderly patients documented to have nonprotective titers of anti-tetanus antibodies (ATA) are able to achieve and maintain protective ATA titers for at least 1 year after tetanus immunization. METHODS: Thirty-five outpatients aged 65 or older with documented inadequate ATA titers were given 1 tetanus immunization. Repeat titers were obtained 2 months and 12 months after immunization. Titers were measured with an enzyme-linked immunoassay kit (Bindazyme kit). ATA titers in excess of .17 IU were considered protective. The study was conducted at a large urban geriatric center. RESULTS: The mean age of participants was 78.7 years; 86% (24/28) were women. Repeat ATA titers were obtained an average of 122 days and 493 days after immunization. The mean preimmunization ATA titer was .1 IU, (range .04 to .16 IU). After immunization, the 2-month ATA titer rose a mean of .61 (95% confidence interval [CI] .35 to .87) IU, with 86% (30/35) achieving protective titers. After 1 year only 28 of 35 patients were available for follow-up. Protective titers had been present in all 7 patients lost to follow-up. After 1 year, 82% (23/28) patients had protective titers. The mean ATA titer for the 28 patients was .54 (95% CI -.78 to 1.86) IU, a significant increase from preimmunization levels (P=.002). However, ATA titers changed -.18 (95% CI -.98 to .62) IU between 2 months and 1 year (P=.02). There was no correlation between gender, country of birth, and medical history with development or maintenance of protective titers. CONCLUSION: Administration of 1 tetanus toxoid affords protective immunization to a large portion of the elderly population after 1 year.

Aged↗

Humoral immunity against diphtheria, tetanus and poliomyelitis after antineoplastic therapy in children and adolescents--a retrospective analysis.

Serum antibodies against diphtheria- and tetanus-toxin were measured in 71 children and against poliomyelitis viruses 1-3 in 65 children and adolescents 0-18 months after cessation of antineoplastic therapy. Non or marginally protective serum titers were found in 62% of patients against diphtheria, in 18% of patients against tetanus and in 72% of patients against one or more poliomyelitis virus serotypes. Of these patients, 55%, 46% and 75% were immunized adequately according to age against diphtheria, tetanus and poliomyelitis, respectively. In 50% or more of patients a lack of protective immunity against diphtheria, tetanus and poliomyelitis was found which could not be explained by an inadequate immunization status. This suggests that other factors (e.g. influence of underlying illness, antineoplastic therapy or both on lymphocytes) might be responsible for these findings and this deserves further investigation. Measurement of serum antibodies against vaccine-preventable illnesses and consecutive booster immunizations are an essential part of long-term follow up in pediatric patients after antineoplastic therapy.

Adolescent↗

Inhibition of tetanus toxin fragment C binding to ganglioside G(T1b) by monoclonal antibodies recognizing different epitopes.

Anti-tetanus toxoid monoclonal antibodies would be useful in exploring the relationship of tetanus toxin structure to its function. Tetanus toxin fragment C has been shown to be responsible for binding to neurons via gangliosides. Eleven new and two previously derived monoclonal antibodies specific for tetanus toxin fragment C were shown to recognize five different fragment C epitopes, two of which were overlapping. Three of these epitopes participate in the binding to ganglioside G(T1b). One epitope was defined by a monoclonal antibody that did not inhibit the interaction between fragment C and ganglioside. This antibody however, was blocked from binding to fragment C by antibodies that were able to inhibit the fragment C-ganglioside interaction.

Animals↗

Defective immune response to tetanus toxoid in hemodialysis patients and its association with diphtheria vaccination.

The incidence of infectious diseases is increased in patients with chronic renal failure. This is thought to be due to an impaired T cell stimulation by antigen presenting cells. Immunization programs are of great significance in the prevention of infections in immunocompromised individuals. However, the immune response to various vaccinations is impaired in patients with chronic renal failure. So far only few studies have focused on seroresponse to tetanus toxoid. Therefore we measured the levels of antitetanus toxoid antibodies in 71 hemodialysis patients with unknown vaccination history. The antibody levels were detected prior to and twelve months after a single "Td" or "Td-d-d" vaccination. Initially only 31 (44%) of the patients had a sufficient protection against tetanus. Of the unprotected patients 15 (38%) seroconverted after immunization, while 25 (63%) did not respond. We found a high association (p < 0.04, Fisher's exact test) between the efficacy of vaccination against diphtheria and tetanus. Out of 38 initially unprotected patients 27 (71%) showed a similar response to both vaccines: 9 (24%) individuals seroconverted, while 18 (47%) did not. Our data clearly demonstrate the need for frequent monitoring of antibody levels after immunization against tetanus and diphtheria in hemodialysis patients.

Antibodies, Bacterial↗

An adult formulation of a five-component acellular pertussis vaccine combined with diphtheria and tetanus toxoids is safe and immunogenic in adolescents and adults.

Pertussis is increasingly being recognized as an important cause of cough illness in adolescents and adults. To evaluate the safety and immunogenicity of an adult formulation of a five-component (pertussis toxoid, filamentous hemagglutinin, pertactin, fimbriae 2 and 3) acellular pertussis vaccine combined with diphtheria and tetanus toxoids, we randomly allocated 749 healthy adolescents and adults from 12-54 years of age recruited from five Canadian communities to receive either tetanus-diphtheria vaccine (Td), acellular pertussis vaccine (aP) or combined diphtheria-tetanus-acellular pertussis vaccine (TdaP). Subjects and personnel were unaware of the vaccine allocation. Antibody levels were measured before and one month postimmunization; adverse events were collected at 24 and 72 h and 8 to 10 days. Adverse events were reported in similar frequency amongst the three vaccine groups. Moderate pain at the injection site was reported less frequently in the aP group than the TdaP group (10.7% compared to 19.4%; relative risk 0.6, 95% confidence interval 0.3-0.9). Chills were reported less frequently after Td (5.3%) than after TdaP (12.5%; relative risk 0.4, 95% confidence interval 0.2-0.9). There were no statistically significant differences between recipients of Td and TdaP in tetanus and diphtheria antitoxin levels achieved. Antibody response against Bordetella pertussis antigens was vigorous in all groups although recipients of aP alone had higher levels of antibody levels against pertussis toxoid, fimbriae, and agglutinins and lower antibody levels against pertactin than did TdaP recipients. We conclude that this adult formulation 5-component acellular pertussis vaccine is safe and immunogenic in adolescents and adults and is a candidate vaccine for adolescent and adult immunization programs.

Adolescent↗

Prevention of myonecrosis in mdx mice: effect of immobilization by the local tetanus method.

Sixteen mdx mice of three-week-old were injected with tetanus toxin into the right gastrocnemius muscle and then subjected to sustained dorsiflexion of the right ankle joint (local tetanus) for 2 to 56 days. Another 16 mdx mice of the same age were not injected with tetanus toxin, serving as controls. The incidence of centronucleated muscle fibers, which indicate preceding myodegeneration, was significantly reduced in the tetanus toxin injected soleus muscle (SOL) and extensor digitorum longus muscle (EDL), compared with that in the untreated control mdx mice. It seems that myonecrosis in the mdx mouse is facilitated by muscle movement itself and that immobilization of muscle prevents myonecrosis. This concept is helpful for understanding the mechanism underlying myonecrosis in patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy, and for instruction concerning rehabilitation programs and activities in daily life.

Animals↗

Case report of an unusual source of tetanus.

We report a case of generalized tetanus in a 31-year-old male originating from a surgical wound after repair of an achilles tendon rupture. Our case illustrates an unusual source of tetanus, the need for tetanus prophylaxis before surgery, and the importance of asking about primary tetanus immunization, particularly in immigrants.

Achilles Tendon↗

The presentation of tetanus in an emergency department.

Traditionally, the literature has described a certain population as at risk for tetanus infection. We reviewed the demographics, clinical presentation, laboratory findings, management, and outcome of all patients who presented to our emergency department (ED) with tetanus in the last 10 years and compared our experience with this classic literature. We performed a retrospective case series review at a large, inner-city medical center; 11 cases of tetanus were identified from 1986 to 1997. Nine male and two female patients were identified with an average age of 45 years. All had an acute injury to the skin, and most (82%) reported having no history of recent immunization. The most common recorded symptoms were trismus and rigidity in the abdomen, neck, back, or extremities. There was only one misdiagnosis in the ED. Three patients died in the hospital, while the other eight were discharged either home or to a rehabilitation facility. In contrast to the classic literature, we found that tetanus in our inner city ED presented in recent immigrants, particularly younger men, over half of whom had received no childhood immunization. Laboratory results and cultures are of little diagnostic value, so timely recognition of the clinical presentation is important.

Adult↗

Tetanus--the silent killer: how safe are you?

Despite the fact that tetanus is entirely preventable, mortality and morbidity as a result of this disease remain significant. The tetanus toxoid is one of the most potent poisons known. While immunisation programs focus on children, the elderly remain at risk of contracting immunisable diseases. Tetanus often leads to prolonged hospital stays and requires emergency and intensive care intervention and management. This case study illustrates a number of important points concerning the recognition, treatment, management and prevention of tetanus poisoning, and highlights the importance of considering the immunisation status of our elderly patients.

Aged↗

Production of neutralizing human monoclonal antibody directed to tetanus toxin in CHO cell.

By the fusion of lymphocytes from hyperimmunized people with heteromyeloma cells, 600 human hybridoma cell lines were generated. Even though seven cell lines produced antibodies against tetanus toxoid, only two antibodies from hybrid CH8 and CH5 only neutralized the tetanus toxin and completely protected the mice that had been challenged with the toxin even at the level of 90 mean lethal dose. The cDNA of light (L) chain and heavy (H) chain variable region was isolated, and then inserted into expression vectors containing human IgG constant regions. After transfection of the recombinant human IgG gene into Chinese Hamster Ovary (CHO) cells, transformants secreting the complete human antibody were selected. The recombinant human antibodies produced from CHO cells possessed neutralizing activity against tetanus toxin just like the original human antibodies produced from human hybridoma cell lines. Western blot analysis showed that rCH8 and rCH5 antibodies recognized the H chain of tetanus toxin and did not bind to its L chain. The neutralizing test showed that HmAb rCH5 had 4.55IU and HmAb rCH8 had 1.09IU/100 micro g of IgG, respectively. Mixing of the two HmAbs resulted in synergistic effects. On a weight basis (IU/100 micro g IgG), the highest potency values were obtained when the two HmAbs were combined in equal quantity. The neutralizing activity of rCH8 and rCH5 mixture was 6.94IU/100 micro g IgG.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

On-chip native gel electrophoresis-based immunoassays for tetanus antibody and toxin.

By integrating photopolymerized cross-linked polyacrylamide gels within a microfluidic device, we have developed a microanalytical platform for performing electrophoresis-based immunoassays. The microfluidic immunoassays are performed by gel electrophoretic separation and quantitation of bound and unbound antibody or antigen. To retain biological activity of proteins and maintain intact immune complexes, nondenaturing polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis conditions were investigated. Both direct (noncompetitive) and competitive immunoassay formats are demonstrated in microchips. A direct immunoassay was developed for detection of tetanus antibodies in buffer as well as diluted serum samples. After an off-chip incubation step, the immunoassay was completed in less than 3 min and the sigmoidal dose-response curve spanned an antibody concentration range from 0.17 to 260 nM. The minimum detectable antibody concentration was 0.68 nM. A competitive immunoassay was also developed for tetanus toxin C-fragment by allowing unlabeled and fluorescently labeled tetanus toxin C-fragment compete to bind to a limited fixed concentration of tetanus antibody. The immunoassay technique described in this work shows promise as a component of an integrated microfluidic device amenable to automation and relevant to development of clinical diagnostic devices.

Antibodies↗

Tetanus toxin is labeled with photoactivatable phospholipids at low pH.

The mechanism of cell penetration by tetanus toxin is unknown; it has been suggested that the toxin may penetrate into the lipid bilayer from a low-pH vesicular compartment. In this work, the interaction of tetanus toxin with liposomal model membranes has been studied by following its photoinduced cross-linking with either a nitrene or a carbene photolytically generated from corresponding light-sensitive phosphatidylcholine analogues. The toxin was labeled only at pHs lower than 5.5. The low pH acquired hydrophobicity of tetanus toxin appears to be confined to its light chain and to the 45-kDa NH2-terminal fragment of the heavy chain. Negatively charged lipids promote the interaction of this toxin with the hydrocarbon chain of phospholipids. The relevance of the present findings to the possible mechanism of nerve cell penetration by tetanus toxin is discussed.

Carbon Radioisotopes↗

Effect of medium composition on the production of tetanus toxin by Clostridium tetani.

The tetanus toxin is a neurotoxin synthesized by the bacillus Clostridium tetani that, after detoxification with formaldehyde, still exhibits antigenic and immunologic properties, hence its denomination of tetanus toxoid. Such a neurotoxin is produced by cultivation of the microorganism in vegetative form on a relatively complex specific medium containing glucose and peptone. The simultaneous effects of the starting levels of glucose (G0) and N-Z Case TT (NZ0) as carbon and nitrogen sources, respectively, on the production of tetanus toxin have been investigated in this work in static cultivations by means of a five-level star-shaped experimental design and evaluated by response surface methodology (RSM) for optimization purposes. The highest final average yield of tetanus toxin (72 Lf/mL), achieved at G0= 9.7 g/L and NZ0= 43.5 g/L, was 80% higher than that obtained with standard cultivations (G0= 8.0 g/L and NZ0= 25.0 g/L).

Algorithms↗

Duration of immunity to diphtheria and tetanus in young kidney transplant patients.

A considerable proportion of patients with renal transplant, evaluated many years after transplant, lack protective diphtheria antibody levels, despite primary immunization, but maintain immunity to tetanus. These patients respond to a diphtheria and tetanus booster but the duration of the response is uncertain. This study was undertaken to assess if protective antibodies evoked by primary immunization are lost quickly after transplantation, and whether the extent of the immune response to a booster influences the persistence of protective antibodies. We studied 15 patients (group 1) immediately after renal transplant and 35 patients with renal transplant for 6 +/- 4 yr who received a diphtheria and tetanus booster (group 2). Six patients (40%) of group 1 lost protective diphtheria antibodies a median time of 6.5 months after transplant. Thirty-three patients of group 2 responded to the booster with normal diphtheria antibody titers (> 1 IU/mL) in 22 cases and with low titers in 11. Four of the latter lacked immunity to diphtheria at 12 months follow-up. All patients with normal immunity maintained protective levels of diphtheria antibodies. The low responders had a creatinine clearance of 50 +/- 20 mL/min/1.73 m2. Tetanus immunity was maintained in almost all patients of both groups. In conclusion, renal transplant patients had an accelerated loss of diphtheria antibodies in the early post-transplant period. Response to a diphtheria booster identified a group at particular risk, namely the low responders, who may require frequent booster doses. This group had significantly poorer renal function than the normal responders.

Adolescent↗

Tetanus and botulinum-B neurotoxins block neurotransmitter release by proteolytic cleavage of synaptobrevin.

Clostridial neurotoxins, including tetanus toxin and the seven serotypes of botulinum toxin (A-G), are produced as single chains and cleaved to generate toxins with two chains joined by a single disulphide bond (Fig. 1). The heavy chain (M(r) 100,000 (100K)) is responsible for specific binding to neuronal cells and cell penetration of the light chain (50K), which blocks neurotransmitter release. Several lines of evidence have recently suggested that clostridial neurotoxins could be zinc endopeptidases. Here we show that tetanus and botulinum toxins serotype B are zinc endopeptidases, the activation of which requires reduction of the interchain disulphide bond. The protease activity is localized on the light chain and is specific for synaptobrevin, an integral membrane protein of small synaptic vesicles. The rat synaptobrevin-2 isoform is cleaved by both neurotoxins at the same single site, the peptide bond Gln 76-Phe 77, but the isoform synaptobrevin-1, which has a valine at the corresponding position, is not cleaved. The blocking of neurotransmitter release of Aplysia neurons injected with tetanus toxin or botulinum toxins serotype B is substantially delayed by peptides containing the synaptobrevin-2 cleavage site. These results indicate that tetanus and botulinum B neurotoxins block neurotransmitter release by cleaving synaptobrevin-2, a protein that, on the basis of our results, seems to play a key part in neurotransmitter release.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Cellubrevin is a ubiquitous tetanus-toxin substrate homologous to a putative synaptic vesicle fusion protein.

Tetanus toxin inhibits neurotransmitter release by selectively blocking fusion of synaptic vesicles. Recently tetanus toxin was shown to proteolytically degrade synaptobrevin II (also named VAMP-2), a synaptic vesicle-specific protein, in vitro and in nerve terminals. As targets of tetanus toxin, synaptobrevins probably function in the exocytotic fusion of synaptic vesicles. Here we describe a new synaptobrevin homologue, cellubrevin, that is present in all cells and tissues tested and demonstrate that it is a membrane trafficking protein of a constitutively recycling pathway. Like synaptobrevin II, cellubrevin is proteolysed by tetanus toxin light chain in vitro and after transfection. Our results suggest that constitutive and regulated vesicular pathways use homologous proteins for membrane trafficking, probably for membrane fusion at the plasma membrane, indicating a greater mechanistic and evolutionary similarity between these pathways than previously thought.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

High-level expression of tetanus toxin fragment C-thioredoxin fusion protein in Escherichia coli.

An insert of Clostridium tetani DNA corresponding to fragment C of tetanus toxin was amplified by PCR. This 1.4 kb fragment was cloned into the high-expression vector pET32a, under control of the T7 promoter. Expression of this plasmid in Escherichia coli BL21(DE3) resulted in the production of a fusion protein ( approximately 62 kDa) consisting of 112 amino acids of thioredoxin and approximately 450 amino acids of fragment C. This fusion protein was recognized by anti-tetanus toxoid antiserum in an ELISA and on immunoblots. The recombinant fragment-C-thioredoxin protein was purified significantly in one step by Ni(2+)-chelate Sepharose, the final yield being approximately 35 mg/l. Immunization of animals with the recombinant protein produced antibodies that were able to recognize the tetanus toxin. By using this gene-fusion expression system we produced soluble fragment C of tetanus toxin in a high yield, preventing many problems inherent in the use of other expression systems that produce either insoluble fragment C in inclusion bodies, or a soluble form, but in low yield, using E. coli as the expression host.

Base Sequence↗

Amylase release from streptolysin O-permeabilized pancreatic acinar cells. Effects of Ca2+, guanosine 5'-[gamma-thio]triphosphate, cyclic AMP, tetanus toxin and botulinum A toxin.

The molecular requirements for amylase release and the intracellular effects of botulinum A toxin and tetanus toxin on amylase release were investigated using rat pancreatic acinar cells permeabilized with streptolysin O. Micromolar concentrations of free Ca2+ evoked amylase release from these cells. Maximal release was observed in the presence of 30 microM free Ca2+. Ca(2+)-stimulated, but not basal, amylase release was enhanced by guanosine 5'-[gamma-thio]triphosphate (GTP[S]) (3-4 fold) or cyclic AMP (1.5-2 fold). Neither the two-chain forms of botulinum A toxin and tetanus toxin, under reducing conditions, nor the light chains of tetanus toxin, inhibited amylase release triggered by Ca2+, or combinations of Ca2+ + GTP[S] or Ca2+ + cAMP. The lack of inhibition was not due to inactivation of botulinum A toxin or tetanus toxin by pancreatic acinar cell proteolytic enzymes, as toxins previously incubated with permeabilized pancreatic acinar cells inhibited Ca(2+)-stimulated [3H]noradrenaline release from streptolysin O-permeabilized adrenal chromaffin cells. These data imply that clostridial neurotoxins inhibit a Ca(2+)-dependent mechanism which promotes exocytosis in neural and endocrine cells, but not in exocrine cells.

Amylases↗