DIPHTHERIA

Diphtheria is an acute bacterial disease primarily involving tonsils, pharynx, larynx, nose, skin and sometimes conjunctivae or vagina.
It is infectious disease caused by toxigenic strain of Corynebacterium diphtheriae, the bacilli multiply locally usually in the throat and elaborate a powerful exotoxin which is responsible for:
1. Formation of grayish or yellowish membrane (false membrane) commonly over tonsils , pharynx or larynx.
2. Congestion, oedema and local tissue destruction.
3. Enlargement of regional lymph nodes and signs and symptoms of toxemia.
Three major clinical types of diphtheria have been described:
1. anterior nasal diphtheria.
2. faucial ( tonsillo-pharyngeal) diphtheria.
3. laryngeal diphtheria.
other types include cutaneous, conjuctival, otitic and genital diphtheria.
In apparent infection (colonization) outnumber the clinical cases.
Case fatality rate of respiratory diphtheria is 5-10 % even with treatment with higher death rates (up to 20%) among persons younger than 5 and older than 40 years of age.