Corynebacterium Diphtheriae (Diphtheria) Flashcards
shape and gram stain
gram (+) rods
reservoir
humans
transmission
contact with respiratory droplets
most cases fo diptheria occur in
unimmunized children
what is the toxin that causes diphtheria
diphtherotoxin
diptherotoxin gene encoded by a specific tempearte phage –>
lysogenized strains of C. diphtheriae causes diphtheria
function of diptherotoxin
inhibits protein synthesis
signs and symptoms
- acute onset of sore throat
- pseudomembrane
- enlarged cervical lymph nodes and edema in the neck
- fever
pseudomembrane
consisting of dead epithelial and neutrophil cells, pus, fibrin, RBCs, and bacteria
* tightly adherent
* may be large enough to obstruct the airway
systemic diphtheria
toxin gets inot circulation and damages heart and kidneys
would corynebacteria organims be detected in the blood from a patient with systemic diphtheria
no
treatment requires both
antibiotics to arrest the infection
diphtheria antitoxin to neutralize toxin in circulation
prevention
DTap and Tdap vaccines
DTap and Tdap vaccines prevent
diphtheria, pertussis, and tetanus
DTaP and Tdap vaccines contain
diphtheria toxoid
