Diphtheria

Caused by Corynebacterium diphtheriae.
The bacteria most commonly infects the nose and throat. The throat infection causes a gray to black, tough, fiber-like covering, which can block the airways. In some cases, diphtheria may first infect the skin, producing skin lesions.

Signs and tests

The health care provider will perform a physical exam and look inside your mouth. This may reveal a gray to black covering (pseudomembrane) in the throat, enlarged lymph glands, and swelling of the neck or larynx.

Tests used may include:
Gram stain or throat culture to identify Corynebacterium diphtheriae
Electrocardiogram (ECG)

Treatment

If the health care provider thinks you have diphtheria, treatment should be started immediately, even before test results are available.

Diphtheria antitoxin is given as a shot into a muscle or through an IV (intravenous line). The infection is then treated with antibiotics, such as penicillin and erythromycin.

The death rate is 10%

Complications

The most common complication is inflammation of the heart muscle (myocarditis). The nervous system is also frequently and severely affected, which may result in temporary paralysis.

The diphtheria toxin can also damage the kidneys.

Courtesy of Centers for Disease Control and Prevention AND NIH