Diphtheria: Difference between revisions

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| Species = [[Diphtheriae]]
| Species = [[Diphtheriae]]
===Description===
===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.
''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 (and highly pleomorphic), aerobic, and nonmotile.


==Pathogenesis==
==Pathogenesis==

Revision as of 06:51, 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 (and highly pleomorphic), aerobic, and nonmotile.

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.

Mechanism

Adherence

Invasion of the cell

Encountering macrophages

Clinical features

Diagnosis

Treatment

Prevention

Host immune response

References