Diphtheria is an infection caused by the Corynebacterium diphtheriae bacterium. It is transmitted through respiratory droplets or skin contact. Symptoms include a thick gray coating in the throat that can cause difficulty breathing. The bacteria release toxins that can damage organs like the heart, brain, and kidneys. Treatment involves antibiotics to eliminate the bacteria and prevent further toxin production. Vaccines are effective at preventing diphtheria. Diagnosis involves culturing samples from the nose or throat to identify the bacteria.

2. DIPHTHERIA
PresentedBy
Raheela
Reg. 15079
Dept. of Microbiology
Abasyn University, Peshawar
Teacher
Dr. Kashif BashirAssistant Professor Dept. of Microbiology & Biotechnology
Abasyn University, Peshawar

3. Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. Causes
3. Symptoms
4. Treatments
5. Prevention
6. Diagnosis

4. INTRODUCTION

5. DIPHTHERIA
• Diphtheria is an infection caused by the bacterium
Corynebacterium diphtheriae.
• Transmitted by respiratory droplets or skin contact.
• Diphtheria causes a thick covering in the back of the
throat. It can lead to difficulty breathing, heart failure,
paralysis, and even death.
• CDC recommends vaccines for infants, children, teens
and adults to prevent diphtheria.

6. Definition
• Corynebacteria is a Greek word mean; Koryne
mean Club, while bacterion mean little rod.
• Corynebacterium diphtheriae is the pathogenic
bacterium that causes diphtheria.
• It is also known as the Klebs-Löffler bacillus,
because it was discovered in 1884 by
German bacteriologists Edwin Klebs (1834-1912)
and Friedrich Löffler (1852–1915).

7. General characteristics of
corynebacterium diphtheriae
Its gram-positive
Catalase-positive
Aerobic or facultatively anaerobic,
Generally nonmotile rods.
No spores forming
Arrangement of cells in short chains ("V" or "Y"
configurations) or in clumps resembling "Chinese letters"
Size: 0.3 um to 1 um in diameter and 1.0 um to 8.0 um
in length
 Fastidious; Slow growth on enriched medium
 Corynebacteria possess capsular (K) and somatic
antigens (O)

8. Diphtheria Clinical Features
•Incubation period 2-5 days (range, 1-10 days)
•May involve any mucous membrane
•Classified based on site of infection
•Anterior nasal
•Tonsillar and pharyngeal
•Laryngeal
•Cutaneous
•Ocular
•Genital

9. Causes
• Corynebacterium diphtheriae causes diphtheria.
usually the bacteria multiply on or near the surface of
the mucous membranes of the throat, where they cause
inflammation.
• The bacteria most commonly infect nose and throat.
• The bacteria release dangerous substances called
toxins.
• The toxins spread through bloodstream and often
cause a thick, gray coating to form in these areas of the
body:
Like, Nose, Throat. Tongue, Airway

10. Cont…
• In some cases, these toxins can also damage
other organs, including the heart, brain,
and kidneys. This can lead to potentially life-
threatening complications, such as:
• Myocarditis, or inflammation of the heart
muscle
• Paralysis
• Kidney failure

11. Symptoms of diphtheria
Signs of diphtheria often appear within two to five
days of the infection occurring.
The most visible and common symptom of
diphtheria is a thick, gray coating on the throat
and tonsils. Other common symptoms include:
 Fever
Chills
Swollen glands in the neck
A loud, barking cough
A sore throat
Bluish skin

12. Cont…
Additional symptoms may occur as the infection
progresses, including:
difficulty breathing or swallowing
changes in vision
slurred speech
signs of shock, such as pale and cold skin, sweating,
and a rapid heartbeat
Diphtheria of the skin usually causes ulcer and redness
in the affected area.

13. Treatment
• Prevention of further toxin production.
• Control of local infection.
• Reduction of transmission
Antibiotics
Penicillin G (1200 mg,6 hourly i.v.)or amoxicillin
(500mg,8 hourly)should be administered for 2
weeks to eliminat c.diphtheriae.
Erythromycin orally or by injection (40
50mg,kg,day: maximum 2gm,kg,day)for 14days

14. Prevention
• Diphtheria is easily prevented with the use of a safe
and effective vaccine
• Most people receive their first vaccination for the
disease as children.
• This is know as the DPT vaccine diphtheria-tetanus-
pertussis

15. Diagnosis
•Culturing: (Clinical specimens), from nose or
throat. Selactive Media used are, ( cysteine-
tellurite agar; serum tellurite agar & Blood
agar)
•ICT
•ELISA
•PCR

16. THANK YOU
