Diphtheria: Difference between revisions
From MicrobeWiki, the student-edited microbiology resource
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==Pathogenesis== | ==Pathogenesis== | ||
===Virulence factors=== | ===Virulence factors=== | ||
====Diphtheria toxin==== | |||
Diphtheria toxin is an exotoxin that prevents protein synthesis through inactivation of eEF2 (eukaryotic elongation factor 2). This is done by ADP-ribosylating the amino acid diphthamide, inhibiting RNA translation. | |||
===Mechanism=== | ===Mechanism=== | ||
Revision as of 06:30, 22 July 2015
University of Oklahoma Study Abroad Microbiology in Arezzo, Italy[1]
Etiology/Bacteriology
Taxonomy
| Domain = Bacteria | Phylum = Actinobacteria | Class = Actinobacteria | Order = Actinomycetales | Family = Corynebacteriaceae | Genus = Corynebacterium | Species = Diphtheriae
Description
C. diphtheriae infections are the causal agent of diphtheria. Four subspecies are recognized: C. d. mitis, C. d. intermedius, C. d. gravis, and C. d. belfanti. C. diphtheria is known to produce diphtheria toxins. C. diphtheria are Gram-positive, rod-shaped, aerobic, nonmotile, and highly pleumorphic.
Pathogenesis
Virulence factors
Diphtheria toxin
Diphtheria toxin is an exotoxin that prevents protein synthesis through inactivation of eEF2 (eukaryotic elongation factor 2). This is done by ADP-ribosylating the amino acid diphthamide, inhibiting RNA translation.
