What is the pathogenic mechanism of diphtheria toxin?
What is the pathogenic mechanism of diphtheria toxin?
Diphtheria toxin kills cells by inhibiting eukaryotic protein synthesis, and its mechanism of action has been extensively characterized. This potent toxin inactivates elongation factor (EF-2) required for protein synthesis (Collier, 1967).
What is the classification of diphtheria?
There are two types of diphtheria: respiratory and cutaneous. Respiratory diphtheria involves the nose, throat and tonsils, and cutaneous diphtheria involves the skin. Cutaneous diphtheria is discussed below.
What is the causative agent of diphtheria?
Diphtheria is caused by the bacterium Corynebacterium diphtheriae.
What is diphtheria in microbiology?
Corynebacterium diphtheriae is the leading causing agent of diphtheria. It is a non-motile, non-encapsulated, non-sporulating gram-positive rod-shaped bacterium with a high GC-content and occurs in four biovars: gravis, mitis, intermedius, and belfanti, based on colonial morphology and biochemical profiles.
What type of bacteria is diphtheria?
Diphtheria is a serious infection caused by strains of bacteria called Corynebacterium diphtheriae that make a toxin (poison). It is the toxin that can cause people to get very sick. Diphtheria bacteria spread from person to person, usually through respiratory droplets, like from coughing or sneezing.
What is the virulence factor of diphtheria?
Toxins. Diphtheria toxin is the main virulence factor of C. diphtheriae and responsible for the life-threatening symptoms of respiratory diphtheria (Burkovski 2013b). The toxin is encoded on a temperate bacteriophage, which during lysogeny is capable of toxin production (Sangal and Hoskisson 2014).
What are the 5 types of diphtheria?
Respiratory and cutaneous diphtheria are caused by toxic strains of the bacteria Corynebacterium diphtheriae and Corynebacterium ulcerans and very rarely Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis….Diphtheria
- classical respiratory diphtheria.
- laryngeal diphtheria.
- nasal diphtheria and.
- cutaneous diphtheria (skin lesions).
What causes diphtheria?
What is diphtheria called?
Diphtheria is an infection caused by strains of bacteria called Corynebacterium diphtheriae that make toxin. Diphtheria spreads from person to person, usually through respiratory droplets, like from coughing or sneezing.
What is the prevention of diphtheria?
Vaccination. Keeping up to date with recommended vaccines is the best way to prevent diphtheria. In the United States, there are four vaccines used to prevent diphtheria: DTaP, Tdap, DT, and Td. Each of these vaccines prevents diphtheria and tetanus; DTaP and Tdap also help prevent pertussis (whooping cough).
Where is diphtheria found?
Diphtheria currently occurs most often in sub-Saharan Africa, India, and Indonesia. In 2015, it resulted in 2,100 deaths, down from 8,000 deaths in 1990. In areas where it is still common, children are most affected.
What does diphtheria mean?
Definition of diphtheria : an acute febrile contagious disease typically marked by the formation of a false membrane especially in the throat and caused by a gram-positive bacterium (Corynebacterium diphtheriae) that produces a toxin causing inflammation of the heart and nervous system.
How dangerous is diphtheria?
However, in advanced stages, diphtheria can damage your heart, kidneys and nervous system. Even with treatment, diphtheria can be deadly — up to 3 percent of people who get diphtheria die of it. The rate is higher for children under 15.
How does dangerous is diphtheria?
Diphtheria can be treated with medications. But in advanced stages, diphtheria can damage your heart, kidneys and nervous system. Even with treatment, diphtheria can be deadly, especially in children. Diphtheria signs and symptoms usually begin two to five days after a person becomes infected and may include:
What are the causes of diphtheria?
Diphtheria can be caused by one of several strains of bacteria called Corynebacterium diphtheria (C. diphtheria). Most infections of the respiratory tract and skin are caused by strains that release diphtheria toxin , which is then released in the body.
