Diphtheria is a serious infection caused by strains of bacteria called
Corynebacterium diphtheriae
that make a toxin (poison). It is the toxin that can cause people to get very sick. Diphtheria bacteria spread from person to person, usually through respiratory droplets
Diphtheria (dif-THEER-e-uh) is a
serious bacterial infection
that usually affects the mucous membranes of your nose and throat. Diphtheria is extremely rare in the United States and other developed countries, thanks to widespread vaccination against the disease.
How would the diphtheria bacteria be classified?
Corynebacterium diphtheriae is classified
into biotypes (mitis, intermedius, and gravis)
according to colony morphology, as well as into lysotypes based upon corynebacteriophage sensitivity. Most strains require nicotinic and pantothenic acids for growth; some also require thiamine, biotin, or pimelic acid.
What are the types of diphtheria?
There are two types of diphtheria:
respiratory and cutaneous
. Respiratory diphtheria involves the nose, throat and tonsils, and cutaneous diphtheria involves the skin. Cutaneous diphtheria is discussed below.
What is diphtheria in microbiology?
Corynebacterium diphtheriae
is the leading causing agent of diphtheria. It is a non-motile, non-encapsulated, non-sporulating gram-positive rod-shaped bacterium with a high GC-content and occurs in four biovars: gravis, mitis, intermedius, and belfanti, based on colonial morphology and biochemical profiles.
Where is diphtheria most commonly found?
Endemic in many countries in
Asia
, the South Pacific, the Middle East, Eastern Europe and in Haiti and the Dominican Republic. Since 2016, respiratory diphtheria outbreaks have occurred in Indonesia, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Vietnam, Venezuela, Haiti, South Africa, and Yemen.
What is the main cause of diphtheria?
Diphtheria is a
serious infection caused by strains of bacteria called Corynebacterium diphtheriae
that make a toxin (poison). It is the toxin that can cause people to get very sick. Diphtheria bacteria spread from person to person, usually through respiratory droplets, like from coughing or sneezing.
How can diphtheria be prevented?
Vaccination
.
Keeping up to date with
recommended vaccines is the best way to prevent diphtheria. In the United States, there are four vaccines used to prevent diphtheria: DTaP, Tdap, DT, and Td. Each of these vaccines prevents diphtheria and tetanus; DTaP and Tdap also help prevent pertussis (whooping cough).
What antibiotics are used for diphtheria?
Antibiotics. The recommended antibiotics for respiratory or cutaneous diphtheria is either
erythromycin or penicillin
.
How was diphtheria treated in the 1900’s?
Beginning in the early 1900s,
prophylaxis was attempted with combinations of toxin and antitoxin
. Diphtheria toxoid was developed in the early 1920s but was not widely used until the early 1930s.
What are the 5 types of diphtheria?
- classical respiratory diphtheria.
- laryngeal diphtheria.
- nasal diphtheria and.
- cutaneous diphtheria (skin lesions).
What diphtheria smells like?
Diphtheria is caused by bacterial infection with Corynebacterium diphtheria. Diphtheria usually affects the larynx or the lower and upper respiratory tracts and causes a sore throat. Some patients with diphtheria have a sickening,
sweetish or putrid odour
in their breath (19).
What is the putrid throat illness?
Medical Definition of Putrid throat
Putrid throat: a historic term for
a severely inflamed throat, with tissue destruction, and fetid odor
, often due to strep throat (streptococcal pharyngitis) or diphtheria.
Which organ is affected by diphtheria?
Diphtheria can infect
the respiratory tract
(parts of the body involved in breathing) and skin. In the respiratory tract, it causes a thick, gray coating to build up in the throat or nose. This coating can make it hard to breathe and swallow.
What are the long term effects of diphtheria?
Damage to the heart muscle (myocarditis) Nerve damage
(polyneuropathy) Loss of the ability to move (paralysis) Kidney failure.
Can adults get diphtheria?
Diphtheria is a bacterial infection. It spreads easily and happens quickly, and mainly affects the nose and throat. Children under 5 and
adults over 60 years old are particularly at risk for getting it
.
