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MS. SONAM SHARMA
ASST. PROFESSOR

 Diphtheria is a serious bacterial infection caused by
Corynebacterium diphtheriae. It primarily affects the mucous
membranes of the respiratory tract but can also infect the skin.
Diphtheria is known for its characteristic thick gray coating in
the throat, which can lead to difficulty breathing, heart failure,
paralysis, and even death if untreated.

 Diphtheria is primarily caused by infection with the bacterium
Corynebacterium diphtheriae.

Agent
Corynebacterium diphtheriae
Environmental Factors
• Living Conditions
• Climate
Host Factors
• Age: Under 5
years & over
60 years

Respiratory
Droplets
Direct Contact
Fomites
(Contaminated
Objects)
Cutaneous
Transmission

Toxin Production: The bacterium produces a potent toxin.
Colonization of Respiratory Tract or Skin
Corynebacterium diphtheriae Infection

Spread of Toxin via Bloodstream
The toxin causes cell death in local tissues.
The toxin can spread through the bloodstream.
In the respiratory tract, the toxin causes the formation of a thick gray
pseudomembrane.

 Respiratory Diphtheria:
 Incubation Period: Typically 2-5 days.
 Symptoms: Sore throat, low-grade fever, and swollen glands in the
neck.
 Pseudomembrane Formation: A thick, gray coating that forms on the
throat and tonsils. This can cause difficulty breathing and swallowing.
 Complications: Myocarditis, neuritis, airway obstruction, and
septicemia.

 Cutaneous Diphtheria:
 Symptoms: Chronic non-healing ulcers covered by a grayish membrane.
 Complications: Rare but can include systemic effects due to toxin
absorption.

Laboratory Tests
 Microbiological Culture:
 Sample Collection: Swabs from the throat, nose, or skin lesions are
collected.
 Toxin Detection:
 Elek Test
 Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)
 Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA)

 Antitoxin: Administered to neutralize the diphtheria toxin. It is
derived from horse serum and must be given early in the course of
the disease.
Dosage: The dosage of the antitoxin depends on the severity and
duration of symptoms and ranges from 20,000 to 100,000 units.

 Antibiotics are used to eradicate the Corynebacterium
diphtheriae infection, thereby preventing transmission and
secondary infections.
 Erythromycin: Administered orally or intravenously,
typically 40-50 mg/kg/day for 14 days.
 Penicillin: Administered intramuscularly or intravenously,
typically 250,000 to 500,000 units every 6 hours for 14 days.

 Airway Management:
 Pseudomembrane Removal: In severe cases, the
pseudomembrane may need to be surgically removed to
prevent airway obstruction.
 Tracheostomy or Intubation: May be necessary in cases of
significant airway obstruction.

 Cardiovascular Support:
 Monitoring: Continuous monitoring of cardiac function due
to the risk of myocarditis.
 Medications: Use of medications to manage arrhythmias or
heart failure if needed.

 Nutritional Support:
 Hydration: Ensuring adequate hydration through intravenous
fluids if the patient cannot swallow.
 Nutrition: Nutritional support may be necessary if there is
difficulty swallowing.

1. Vaccination
Diphtheria Toxoid Vaccine:
 Vaccine Types: Diphtheria toxoid is commonly combined with tetanus and
pertussis vaccines (DTaP for children, Tdap for adults and adolescents).
 Schedule for Children:
 DTaP: Given at 2, 4, 6, and 15-18 months, with a booster at 4-6 years.
 Tdap: Given at 11-12 years.

 Schedule for Adults:
 Tdap: One dose for adults who have not previously received it.
 Td Booster: Every 10 years, a tetanus booster that includes diphtheria
toxoid (Td) is recommended.
 Catch-up Vaccination: For individuals who missed their vaccinations,
catch-up schedules are available to ensure adequate protection.

2. Public Health Measures
 Surveillance and Reporting:
 Monitoring
 Notifiable Disease
 Outbreak Control:
 Contact Tracing
 Prophylactic Antibiotics

 Travel Advisory:
 Vaccination Recommendations
3. Hygiene and Sanitation
 Personal Hygiene:
 Handwashing
 Respiratory Etiquette
 Environmental Sanitation:
 Cleaning and Disinfection
 Crowded Areas

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Diphtheria.pptx

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