Diphtheria Is a Bacterial Infection

Diphtheria is a bacterial infection caused by the gram-positive bacteria Corynebacterium diphtheria. Reported as early as 5th century BC by Hippocrates, diphtheria is a serious infection of the upper respiratory tract causing severe respiratory distress. Corynebacterium ulcerans is another bacterial species that primarily causes cutaneous diphtheria, a skin infection that does not cause any respiratory symptoms. Though widespread vaccination has literally wiped out diphtheria in the U.S. And many other developed nations, recent outbreaks have been witnessed in several states of the former Soviet Union indicating waning of immunity. With most children routinely immunized, recent infections are more commonly occurring among adults above age 40. The fact that as many as 5000 causalities were reported in the 1990-95 outbreak in Russia and other former Soviet states clearly indicates the dangers. Asymptomatic human carriers are the most important reservoirs for the bacterium and transmission occurs through nasal secretions, respiratory droplets and via shared clothes. C Diphtheria sticks on to the mucosal membrane cells and secretes an exotoxin that interferes with the normal protein synthesis of the host cell resulting in cell necrosis. More serious damage can result once the toxin is carried through blood or the lymphatic system to other regions of the body. Particularly, since the cells of the myocardium, kidneys and nerve tissues have receptors for the exotoxin they can be severely affected. [Allysia & Mark, 2009]

Diphtheria has a typical incubation period of 2 to 5 days and symptoms ranging from sore throat, fever, headache to mild pharyngeal inflammation and swollen neck are common. As the infection progresses, a new psuedomembrane may form along the respiratory tract, and left untreated, this could progress in severity resulting in death due to obstruction of the airway. After 10 days, when pharyngeal infection becomes more acute, patients have an increased risk for myocarditis and peripheral neuritis. These can result in circulatory loss and loss of motor functions in the peripheral organs. Diphtherial infection should be immediately treated and even suspected cases should be treated on a prophylactic basis since the infection has a high mortality rate. Airway management is critical for patients presenting with respiratory complications. Intubation is essential in cases where the laryngeal membrane growth affects normal breathing process. Failure to secure airway passage is one of the main causes of death due to diphtheria. . [Allysia & Mark, 2009]