Impact of lack of immunisation against diphtheria in the Australian military during the Second World War.

IF 1.5 4区 医学 Q2 MEDICINE, GENERAL & INTERNAL
G Dennis Shanks
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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Immunisation has been critically important to military medicine. During the Second World War, Australian soldiers were immunised against smallpox, typhoid and tetanus. A conscious decision not to immunise soldiers against diphtheria was taken, although the toxoid had been available in Australia since 1927. This was due to the large number of soldiers thought to have pre-existing immunity (Schick test negative) and adverse events experienced during mass immunisation. Diphtheria became an operational problem in Palestine in 1940. Epidemics of diphtheria in prisoner of war (POW) camps had lethal outcomes due to lack of anti-sera. Many tropical ulcers likely had a component of diphtheria infection. Post-war problems with diphtheria have largely been limited to under-immunised populations in refugee situations, although diphtheria is again being seen in Australian civilians. Toxoid immunisation against environmental pathogens such as diphtheria and tetanus must be maintained to avoid preventable disease during any future war or disaster.

第二次世界大战期间澳大利亚军队缺乏白喉免疫接种的影响。
免疫接种对军事医学至关重要。第二次世界大战期间,澳大利亚士兵接种了天花、伤寒和破伤风疫苗。尽管自1927年以来,澳大利亚就已经有了这种类毒素,但他们还是有意识地决定不给士兵接种白喉疫苗。这是由于大量士兵被认为已有免疫力(希克试验阴性),以及在大规模免疫接种期间发生的不良事件。1940年,白喉在巴勒斯坦成为一个业务问题。由于缺乏抗血清,白喉在战俘营的流行具有致命的后果。许多热带溃疡可能有白喉感染的成分。战后白喉问题在很大程度上仅限于难民中免疫接种不足的人群,尽管白喉再次出现在澳大利亚平民身上。必须保持针对白喉和破伤风等环境病原体的类毒素免疫,以避免在未来的任何战争或灾难中发生可预防的疾病。
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来源期刊
Internal Medicine Journal
Internal Medicine Journal 医学-医学:内科
CiteScore
3.50
自引率
4.80%
发文量
600
审稿时长
3-6 weeks
期刊介绍: The Internal Medicine Journal is the official journal of the Adult Medicine Division of The Royal Australasian College of Physicians (RACP). Its purpose is to publish high-quality internationally competitive peer-reviewed original medical research, both laboratory and clinical, relating to the study and research of human disease. Papers will be considered from all areas of medical practice and science. The Journal also has a major role in continuing medical education and publishes review articles relevant to physician education.
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