Is there any difference in tetanus IgG levels of diabetic patients with respect to the presence of foot ulcers?

Authors: FATİH TEKİN, MEHMET SÜRMELİ, ZEYNEP ÇİZMECİ, ÖZLEM TEKİN, ERGİN IŞIK, ÖMER FARUK TANER, DERUN TANER ERTUĞRUL

Abstract: Background/aim: The aim of this study was to reveal the tetanus immunization status of diabetic patients and to determine whether diabetic patients with foot ulcers have different TIG levels. Materials and methods: A cross-sectional study was designed that included diabetic patients with foot ulcers (n = 30) and diabetic patients without ulcers (n = 30). The groups were compared for serum TIG levels along with total serum protein, albumin, C-reactive protein (CRP), and total immunoglobulin G (Ig G). Results: For diabetic patients without foot ulcers, 17 of 30 (56.6%) patients were found to have nonprotective TIG levels whereas for diabetic patients with foot ulcers, 28 of 30 (93.3%) patients were found to have nonprotective TIG levels. The mean value of TIG for diabetic patients without foot ulcers was 0.345 ± 0.281 IU/mL and for diabetic patients with foot ulcers the mean TIG value was 0.055 ± 0.033 IU/mL. Statistically significant differences were observed in TIG (P = 0.008), total protein (P < 0.001), albumin (P < 0.001), and CRP levels (P < 0.001) between the two groups. Conclusion: The majority of the diabetic patients had low TIG levels and they were significantly lower in diabetic patients with ulcers. A booster dose of tetanus vaccine should be considered for diabetic patients with and without diabetic foot ulcers.

Keywords: Diabetes mellitus, diabetic foot ulcer, tetanus immunoglobulin

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