Diphtheria

Diphtheria is an acute, toxin-mediated bacterial infection primarily caused by toxigenic strains of *Corynebacterium diphtheriae*

Diphtheria is an acute, toxin-mediated bacterial infection primarily caused by toxigenic strains of *Corynebacterium diphtheriae* The hallmark pathophysiologic feature of respiratory disease is the formation of a dense, adherent, grayish-white pseudomembrane over affected mucosal tissues, which can cause life-threatening airway obstruction Systemic absorption of the potent exotoxin can lead to severe extra-respiratory complications, predominantly myocarditis, cardiac arrhythmias, and peripheral ...

While it can affect the skin, it most commonly involves the mucous membranes of the upper respiratory tract, such as the pharynx, tonsils, larynx, and nasal passages

While it can affect the skin, it most commonly involves the mucous membranes of the upper respiratory tract, such as the pharynx, tonsils, larynx, and nasal passages Systemic absorption of the potent exotoxin can lead to severe extra-respiratory complications, predominantly myocarditis, cardiac arrhythmias, and peripheral neuropathies, carrying substantial morbidity and mortality in unimmunized or under-immunized populations

While it can affect the skin, it most commonly involves the mucous membranes of the upper respiratory tract, such as the pharynx, tonsils, larynx, and nasal passages The hallmark pathophysiologic feature of respiratory disease is the formation of a dense, adherent, grayish-white pseudomembrane over affected mucosal tissues, which can cause life-threatening airway obstruction

Systemic absorption of the potent exotoxin can lead to severe extra-respiratory complications, predominantly myocarditis, cardiac arrhythmias, and peripheral neuropathies, carrying substantial morbidity and mortality in unimmunized or under-immunized populations