Diphtheria Vaccination in Adolescents With Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Immunogenicity of Diphtheria Booster Vaccination in Adolescents With Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Assessment of the immunogenicity and safety of booster immunization against diphtheria in children with inflammatory bowel disease.

Inclusion Criteria:

• diagnosis of Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis based on standard clinical, endoscopic, histologic and radiographic criteria (Porto criteria),
• vaccination, as a part of the basic vaccination course, with five doses of diphtheria, tetanus and whole-cell pertussis vaccine, without booster dose after the age of 6,
• written consent of the patient's legal guardians and the patient himself if he/she turns 16 years of age.

Exclusion Criteria:

• serious exacerbation of inflammatory bowel disease defined as Paediatric Ulcerative Colitis Activity Index (PUCAI) > 65 points for patients with ulcerative colitis or Pediatric Crohn's Disease Activity Index (PCDAI) > 40 points for patients with Crohn's disease.