Understanding Diphtheria: Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment

Diphtheria, caused by Corynebacterium diphtheriae, features a unique grayish pseudomembranous pharyngitis and requires urgent antitoxin treatment.

### Understanding Diphtheria: Pathogen Overview, Symptoms, and Treatment
* 🦠 Corynebacterium diphtheriae is the bacterium responsible for diphtheria, a **gram-positive, club-shaped bacillus** identifiable by its **metachromatic granules** and unique **Palisade arrangement**.
* 💨 Diphtheria is transmitted through **respiratory droplets** and primarily presents as **pharyngitis**, with symptoms resembling **upper respiratory tract infections**.
* 📉 Historically, diphtheria is linked to **lack of immunization or travel to areas with low vaccination rates**, increasing the likelihood of contracting the infection.
* ⚠ A key clinical feature of diphtheria is the presence of a **grayish pseudomembrane** in the pharynx, which develops from **erythematous pharyngitis** and can **bleed upon scraping**.
* 💔 Systemic symptoms associated with diphtheria include **cervical lymphadenopathy**, **myocarditis**, **acute tubular necrosis**, and **adrenal insufficiency**, stemming from the **dissemination of the exotoxin** in the body.
* 🩹 Cutaneous diphtheria can occur when the bacteria infect a **pre-existing skin injury**, leading to ulceration with **grayish scaliness**, similar to the throat manifestation.
* 💊 Treatment for diphtheria involves administering an **antitoxin** along with either penicillin G or erythromycin, with the **antitoxin being the most crucial component**.
* 📚 In summary, remember that diphtheria features a **club-shaped bacillus**, a potent exotoxin causing **ADP ribosylation of elongation Factor 2**, and the hallmark **grayish pseudomembrane** in the throat for diagnosis.

Corynebacterium Diptheriae

Dirty Medicine

Introduction to Corynebacterium diphtheriae and Diphtheria

Corynebacterium diphtheriae causes diphtheria, a gram-positive, club-shaped bacillus with metachromatic granules and Palisade arrangement (V or L-shaped).

Transmission occurs via respiratory droplets, causing pharyngitis and upper respiratory tract infections.

Historically linked to lack of immunization or travel to low vaccination rate regions.

Major virulence factor is an exotoxin causing ADP ribosylation of elongation factor 2, inhibiting protein synthesis and leading to cell death.

Key clinical feature is pseudomembranous pharyngitis: a grayish pseudo-membrane in the pharynx.

Disease onset often begins with non-specific upper respiratory symptoms, progressing to pseudomembranous pharyngitis.

The pseudo-membrane bleeds if scraped, distinguishing it from other pharyngitis types.

Associated systemic symptoms include cervical lymphadenopathy, myocarditis, acute tubular necrosis, and adrenal insufficiency.

Cutaneous diphtheria presents as a skin infection affecting pre-existing skin injuries, resulting in ulceration with grayish scaliness.

Treatment involves antitoxin plus penicillin G or erythromycin; antitoxin is crucial.

Summary of key characteristics, virulence factors (exotoxin and its mechanism), clinical features (pseudomembranous pharyngitis and systemic symptoms), and cutaneous diphtheria.