What patient groups is Diphtheria most common?

Eastern Europe/Russia/Asia

What are the main clinical features of Diphtheria?

• Commonly causes a 'diphtheric membrane' on tonsils caused by necrotic mucosal cells.

• Systemic distribution may produce necrosis of myocardial, neural and renal tissue

• bulky cervical lymphadenopathy (may result in a 'bull neck' appearanace)

• neuritis e.g. cranial nerves

• heart block

What is meant by diphtheric membrane?

grey, pseudomembrane on the posterior pharyngeal wall.

What is the management of Diphtheria?

• intramuscular penicillin
• diphtheria antitoxin

What is the pathophysiology of Diphtheria?

• releases an exotoxin encoded by a β-prophage
• exotoxin inhibits protein synthesis by catalyzing ADP-ribosylation of elongation factor EF-2

What is the causative bacteria of Diphtheria?

Gram positive bacterium Corynebacterium diphtheriae