Highlights & Basics
- Diphtheria is a vaccine-preventable, toxin-mediated bacterial disease caused by Corynebacterium diphtheriae.
- Outbreaks still occur across the globe in populations with low vaccine coverage. Sporadic cases occur in settings where vaccine coverage is high, mainly focused among vulnerable individuals who have arrived from places of higher risk.
- Respiratory diphtheria is the main clinical presentation. Local, toxin-mediated inflammation can cause life-threatening upper airway obstruction. Systemic dissemination of toxin can cause delayed mortality from cardiac and neurologic damage.
- Cutaneous diphtheria is another common presentation; it is usually less severe.
- Early intervention by administering antitoxin is key to preventing severe manifestations of the disease. Prompt administration of antitoxin is necessary to deactivate free toxin in serum before it enters cells.
Quick Reference
History & Exam
Key Factors
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Treatment Options
Definition
Epidemiology
Etiology
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Citations
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Manual for the surveillance of vaccine-preventable diseases. Chapter 1: diphtheria. Dec 2022 [internet publication].[Full Text]
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Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. CDC Yellow Book 2024: health information for international travel. Section 5: travel-associated infections & diseases: diphtheria. May 2023 [internet publication].[Full Text]
World Health Organization. Diphtheria vaccines: WHO position paper - August 2017. Wkly Epidemiol Rec. 2017 Aug 4;92(31):417-35.[Abstract][Full Text]
American Academy of Pediatrics Committee on Infectious Diseases. Diphtheria. In: Kimberlin DW, Brady MT, Jackson MA, Long SS, eds. Red Book: 2021 report of the Committee on Infectious Diseases. 32nd ed. Itasca, IL: American Academy of Pediatrics; 2021.[Full Text]
Havers FP, Moro PL, Hunter P, et al. Use of tetanus toxoid, reduced diphtheria toxoid, and acellular pertussis vaccines: updated recommendations of the advisory committee on immunization practices - United States, 2019. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 2020 Jan 24;69(3):77-83.[Abstract][Full Text]
UK Health Security Agency. Public health control and management of diphtheria in England. 2022 guidelines. Feb 2023 [internet publication].[Full Text]
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Infection control in healthcare personnel: epidemiology and control of selected infections transmitted among healthcare personnel and patients. Oct 2022 [internet publication].[Full Text]
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