[Tetanus antibody screening in blood donors]

Two ELISA test methods for detection of tetanus antibodies are presented which are suitable for routine screening. Administration of the tests to blood donors shows good average immunization of the Swiss population against tetanus. Due to compulsory immunization during military service, men exhibit markedly higher antibody levels against tetanus than women. Some of the tested blood donors have rather high tetanus antibody titers, and it would be worth collecting plasma from these donors by plasmapheresis for production of a high-titred antitetanus hyperimmunoglobulin.