Tetanus immunity

SDRU offers a referred (charged for) service for the determination of serum antibodies to tetanus toxin. Tetanus immunity status is determined by an ELISA for serum antibodies specific for tetanus toxin.

Provided serum is collected prior to therapeutic administration of antitoxin, determination of tetanus immunity status can be useful in confirming a clinical diagnosis of tetanus. Absence of detectable antibody or levels below or close to the minimum protective level lend support to the clinical diagnosis whilst higher levels do not.

Results are reported in International Units/ml. Minimum protective level is presently defined as 0.1 IU/ml.

Turnround time: According to demand tests are normally batched every two weeks, on occasion, less frequently. If a sample is deemed to be urgent, a same day result can be produced.

The average turnround time for this service (date of receipt in RSIL to date of issue of final written report) is presently, 14 - 21 calendar days.

How to obtain service

Use the R3 Streptococcus & diphtheria referral form (PDF, 349 KB) and supply not less than 200 µl of serum.

Please supply details of vaccination history (if known) with all requests plus relevant clinical details.

Specimen submissions regarded by the sending laboratory as especially important or urgent should be notified to SDRU by telephone (020 8327 7270\7289) to ensure that the appropriate level of priority is accorded to these specimens immediately upon receipt.

Last reviewed: 24 February 2012