Diphtheria
From MicrobeWiki, the student-edited microbiology resource
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.
