Diphtheria is a very contagious infection that makes it difficult to breathe. Diphtheria definition diphtheria is a potentially fatal, contagious disease that usually involves the nose, throat, and air passages, but may also infect the skin. Diphtheria is a disease caused by the bacterium corynebacterium diphtheriae. From 1985 to 2017, a total of 41 diphtheria cases were reported to the centers for disease control and prevention cdc with the last case occurring in 2014. Death occurs in 5%10% of cases with breathing problems. Diphtheria is an acute, communicable disease caused by exotoxinproducing corynebacterium diphtheriae. In 1874, the newyork times printed an advertisement for a. Tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis vaccine for adults webmd. Its transmitted in much the same way as the common coldthrough respiratory droplets from coughing or sneezing, either through direct inhalation or from touching a contaminated object. Diphtheria in children health encyclopedia university. The word diphtheria comes from the greek word for leather, which refers to the tough pharyngeal membrane that is the clinical hallmark of infection.
Diphtheria definition is an acute febrile contagious disease typically marked by the formation of a false membrane especially in the throat and caused by a grampositive bacterium corynebacterium diphtheriae that produces a toxin causing inflammation of the heart and nervous system. Venezuela, with unknown vaccination history and onset of symptoms on 2 january. Diphtheria, a leading cause of childhood mortality in the prevaccination era, has witnessed a resurgence in the last decade in the developing world and in parts of europe. The lasers that are shot out of this bacterium are more formally. In brazil in 2017, there were 42 suspected cases reported in 14 states. Symptoms of diphtheria include fever, sore throat, and a thick coat in the throat and nose. It can be a very severe infection and the white cell count is usually raised. Diphtheria is usually spread between people by direct contact or through the air. Corynebacterium diphtheriae, the causative agent of the diphtheria disease. Skin lesions can be extremely variable owing to the ability of c. Diphtheria is an infectious disease caused by the bacterium corynebacterium diphtheriae species and is most often associated with a sore throat, fever, and the development of an adherent membrane on the mucous membranes of tonsils andor the nasopharynx.
The following is a summary of the situation in each country with reported suspected and confirmed cases in 2018. Diphtheria toxoid is usually included with other antigens in combination vaccines of varying strengths. June 22, 2012 florida department of health page 2 of 9 diphtheria. Diphtheria is very rare in the united states because of the vaccine.
Description like many other upper respiratory diseases, diphtheria is most. The diphtheria toxin, as well, may be involved in colonization of the throat. In severe disease, swelling of the heart and nerves can occur, as well as trouble breathing. Communicable disease management protocol diphtheria. Diphtheria is a disease caused by bacteria corynebacterium diphtheriae and corynebacterium ulcerans. Little is known about the adherence mechanisms of c. Diphtheria is extremely rare in developed nations including australia because of the widespread use of the diphtheria vaccine. Diphtheria definition of diphtheria by merriamwebster. The throat infection causes a gray to black, tough, fiberlike covering, which can block the airways. Respiratory tract colonization or symptomatic infection and toxic complications occur in a minority of patients with cutaneous diphtheria. It can cause respiratory symptoms or nonrespiratory forms. Patients with respiratory diphtheria require hospitalization to monitor response to treatment and manage complications. In 2016, more than 7,000 diphtheria cases were reported worldwide with about half reported in india.
Its most striking feature is the formation of a grayish membrane covering the tonsils and upper part of the throat. In severe cases, it can cause heart and nerve damage. Corynebacterium diphtheriae is a rodshaped, gram positive, non sporeforming, and nonmotile bacterium. As the disease progresses, a membranous substance forms in the throat that makes it difficult to breathe and swallow. Lowercase letters d and p indicate reduced concentrations of diphtheria and pertussis in the vaccine. In the description of diphtheria vaccines, uppercase letters d, p, or t denote full strength diphtheria, pertussis, and tetanus. Once quite common, diphtheria has largely been eradicated in developed nations through widespread use of the dpt vaccine. Diphtheria antitoxin reduces the progression of the disease by binding dt that has not yet attached to the bodys cells. Diphtheria resources notifiable conditions washington.
Review of pathology in archived cases and the literature shows that c. Antibiotics should be given as soon as possible after suspected disease onset, without waiting. Generally speaking, individuals exposed to diphtheria begin to experience symptoms between two to five days after the initial infection, though some individuals may not experience any symptoms at all. It was said that the disease killed as many as 80% of the children below 10 years of age.
Diphtheria vaccine an overview sciencedirect topics. Diphtheria is an infectious disease caused by the grampositive bacillus corynebacterium diphtheriae. Diphtheria is caused by infection with the bacteria corynebacterium diphtheriae, which. They usually start two to five days after exposure.
An acute infectious upper respiratory tract disease that affects the throat. The bacteria most commonly infect your nose and throat. People who have diphtheria with skin sores usually recover. Read this page to help you understand the history of diphtheria and how and who discovered it. Diphtheria in the americas summary of the situation. Diphtheria is a contagios deadly disease, there is a lot to know and to learn about it. Diphtheria is a contagious disease spread by direct physical contact or breathing aerosolized secretions of infected individuals. Diphtheria is an infection caused by the bacterium corynebacterium diphtheriae.
Corynebacterium diphtheriae is the bacterium that causes the disease diphtheria. Within the first few days of disease, local paralysis of soft palate and posterior pharyngeal wall occurs. Note that virtually all of these cases were respiratory diphtheria because wound diphtheria had not been a reportable disease in the united states since 1980. Diphtheria is otherwise called the strangling angel of children and was a dreaded common childhood illness. C diphtheriae occasionally causes mucocutaneous infections at other sites, such as the ear otitis externa, eye purulent and ulcerative conjunctivitis, and genital tract purulent and ulcerative. Although it spreads easily from one person to another, diphtheria can be prevented through the. This disease is caused by a bacterial disease known as corynebacterium diphtheriae which is a nonmotile, nonspore bearing gram positive orgnism. The symptoms and signs of respiratory diphtheria may initially be similar to a viral upper respiratory infection, however, the symptoms become more severe with the progression of the disease. Diphtheria is a serious bacterial infection that affects the mucous membranes of the throat and nose. Diphtheria is an acute infectious disease caused by the bacteria corynebacterium diphtheriae, which most commonly infects the nose and throat. Then, as adults, they should get a booster every 10 years. However, there is scant information regarding the nasal microbial biodiversity and the colonization of corynebacterium. It is caused by the bacteria corynebacterium diphtheriae. Epidemiology and pathophysiology of diphtheria uptodate.
Equine diphtheria antitoxin dat is the mainstay of treatment and can be administered without waiting for laboratory confirmation. But the antitoxin does not neutralize the toxin if it bound to tissues. Until the late 19th century, diphtheria was a gruesome killer with no known cause and many ineffective treatments. Diphtheria is a highly contagious bacterial infection that affects the nose, throat and sometimes the skin. It can lead to difficulty breathing, heart failure, paralysis, and even death. Diphtheria is an acute infectious disease that is caused by toxinproducing strains of corynebacterium diphtheriae, a grampositive rod. Diphtheria is an acute infectious disease of humans that affects the upper respiratory tract and occasionally the skin, caused by the action of diphtheria toxin produced by toxigenic.
Diphtheria can involve almost any mucous membrane and may also be cutaneous. Diphtheria from greek word diphtheria meaning leather, is an infection caused by the bacterium. Diphtheria is a vaccinepreventable, bacterial communicable disease caused by toxinproducing. Some people carry the bacteria without having symptoms, but can still spread the disease to others. Diphtheria can be effectively treated with antitoxin dat, 2000000 units made from horses. Diphtheria communicable disease management protocol diphtheria august 2016 1 this protocol applies to the management of toxinproducing strains of corynebacterium diphtheriae, ulcerans or pseudotuberculosis only. Diphtheria is a serious communicable bacterial disease that causes severe inflammation of the nose. Diphtheria is an upper respiratory disease characterized by a fever, sore throat and a coating at the back of the nose or throat. Children need another dose, or booster, at about age 12. Babies and children younger than 7 years old receive dtap or dt, while older children and adults receive tdap and td. Diphtheria is an acute, communicable disease caused by.
Toxigenic strains of the bacterium corynebacterium diphtheriae. Second infections with diphtheria are reported but they are rare. Diphtheria is an infectious disease caused by toxigenic bacteria of the. Infection may lead to respiratory disease, cutaneous disease, or an asymptomatic carrier state. Pdf diphtheria disease and genes involved in formation of. Diphtheria is an acute infection caused by the bacteria corynebacterium diphtheriae. Epidemiology and prevention of vaccinepreventable diseases, th edition. Severe bacterial infection can affect other organ systems such as the heart and the nervous system, leading to heart failure and nerve damage. The bacteria that cause diphtheria spread through respiratory droplets such as from a cough or sneeze of an infected person or someone who carries the bacteria but has no symptoms. Diphtheria in children what is diphtheria in children. Diphtheria diphtheria vaccination and medical information. Vaccines are available that can help prevent diphtheria, an infection caused by corynebacterium diphtheriae bacteria. Diphtheria definition of diphtheria by medical dictionary.
Symptoms often come on fairly gradually, beginning with a sore throat and fever. Diphtheria is a toxinmediated disease, caused by strains. The diphtheria, pertussis, and tetanus vaccine can prevent diphtheria, but its protection does not last forever. Diphtheria was a serious contagious disease throughout much of the world until the late 19th century, when its incidence in. Classic diphtheria is an upperrespiratory tract illness characterized by sore throat, lowgrade fever, and an adherent membrane of the tonsils, pharynx, andor nose, sometimes with neck swelling. Diphtheria is a serious bacterial disease that causes severe inflammation of the nose, throat and windpipe trachea. Diphtheria european centre for disease prevention and. Pdf diphtheria outbreaks, though very rare, still occur worldwide, in the developed and. Diphtheria, acute infectious disease caused by the bacillus corynebacterium diphtheriae and characterized by a primary lesion, usually in the upper respiratory tract, and more generalized symptoms resulting from the spread of the bacterial toxin throughout the body. Cdc recommends vaccines for infants, children, teens and adults to prevent diphtheria. Diphtheria is an acute, toxinmediated disease caused by.
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