File:Dirty_white_pseudomembrane_classically_seen_in_diphtheria_2013-07-06_11-07.jpg · Wikimedia Commons · See Wikimedia Commons

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diphtheria

Also known as Bull neck

AI overview

Diphtheria is a serious bacterial infection that usually starts with a sore throat and fever, but can progress to form a dangerous membrane in the throat that blocks the airway. While many cases are mild or symptom-free, severe cases can be life-threatening, with mortality rates reaching around 10% in some outbreaks.

AI-generated from the Wikipedia summary — may contain errors.

Key facts

Medical condition (new).name: Diphtheria
Medical condition (new).image: Dirty white pseudomembrane classically seen in diphtheria 2013-07-06 11-07.jpg
Medical condition (new).caption: An adherent, dense, grey pseudomembrane covering the tonsils is classically seen in diphtheria.
Medical condition (new).field: Infectious disease
Medical condition (new).symptoms: Sore throat, fever, barking cough
Medical condition (new).onset: 2–5 days post-exposure
Medical condition (new).complications: Myocarditis, Peripheral neuropathy, Proteinuria
Medical condition (new).causes: Corynebacterium diphtheriae (spread by direct contact and through the air)
Medical condition (new).diagnosis: Examination of throat, culture
Medical condition (new).prevention: Diphtheria vaccine
Medical condition (new).treatment: Antibiotics, tracheostomy
Medical condition (new).prognosis: 5–10% risk of death
Medical condition (new).frequency: 4,500 (reported 2015)
Medical condition (new).deaths: 2,100 (2015)

via Wikipedia infobox

Research

25,362 papers

Corynebacterium diphtheriae: Diphtheria Toxin, the tox Operon, and Its Regulation by Fe2(+) Activation of apo-DtxR.ReviewMicrobiology spectrum · 2019Parveen S, Bishai WR, Murphy JRDOI: 10.1128/microbiolspec.GPP3-0063-2019
Diphtheria in Children in Northern Haiti.Journal of tropical pediatrics · 2019Exavier MM, Paul Hanna M, Muscadin E et al.DOI: 10.1093/tropej/fmy021
[Diphtheria and infections caused by Corynebacterium diphtheriae in 1997].ReviewLa Revue de medecine interne · 1999Patey O, Dellion SDOI: 10.1016/s0248-8663(99)83007-0
Diphtheria in Mayotte, 2007-2015.Emerging infectious diseases · 2017Belchior E, Henry S, Badell E et al.DOI: 10.3201/eid2307.170262
Autochthonous outbreak of respiratory diphtheria caused by Corynebacterium diphtheriae, Germany, September 2024.Euro surveillance : bulletin Europeen sur les maladies transmissibles = European communicable disease bulletin · 2025Berger A, Dangel A, Bengs K et al.DOI: 10.2807/1560-7917.ES.2025.30.27.2500116
Diphtheria Outbreaks in Schools in Central Highland Districts, Vietnam, 2015-2018.Emerging infectious diseases · 2020Kitamura N, Le TTT, Le LT et al.DOI: 10.3201/eid2603.191027
Diphtheria in the United Kingdom, 1986-2008: the increasing role of Corynebacterium ulcerans.ReviewEpidemiology and infection · 2010Wagner KS, White JM, Crowcroft NS et al.DOI: 10.1017/S0950268810001895
Cutaneous diphtheria in a patient just returned from Tahiti.Clinical microbiology and infection : the official publication of the European Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases · 2022Menier L, Bourgea E, Otto MP et al.DOI: 10.1016/j.cmi.2022.01.018

via PubMed

Wikidata facts

Image: Dirty white pseudomembrane classically seen in diphtheria 2013-07-06 11-07.jpg
Number of deaths: 2100

Show 6 more facts

Commons category: Diphtheria
Commons gallery: Diphtheria
ICPC 2 ID: R83
exact match: www.orpha.net/ORDO/Orphanet_1679
ICD-9-CM: 032.9
NCI Thesaurus ID: C34541

Sources (12)

via Wikidata · CC0

~25 min read

Article

19 sections

Contents

Signs and symptoms
{{anchor|diphtheritic croup|Diphtheritic croup|Croup|croup|Diphthery croup|diphthery croup}} Diphtheritic croup
Transmission
Mechanism
Diagnosis
Laboratory criteria
Toxin demonstration
Clinical criteria
Case classification
Prevention
Treatment
Epidemiology
History
Discovery and science
List of epidemics
Notable deaths
References
Further reading
External links

Diphtheria is an infection caused by the bacterium Corynebacterium diphtheriae. Most infections are asymptomatic or have a mild clinical course, but in some outbreaks, the mortality rate approaches 10%. Signs and symptoms may vary from mild to severe, and usually start two to five days after exposure. Symptoms often develop gradually, beginning with a sore throat and fever. In severe cases, a grey or white patch develops in the throat called a pseudomembrane. This tough, leathery membrane slowly blocks the airway. Starting with a barking cough similar to what is observed in croup, the neck may also swell, in part due to the enlargement of the facial lymph nodes. The pseudomembrane can grow to cover a wide area of the throat leading to strangulation and death. Diphtheria can also involve the skin, eyes, or genitals, and can cause complications, including myocarditis (which in itself can result in an abnormal heart rate), inflammation of nerves (which can result in paralysis), kidney problems, and bleeding problems due to low levels of platelets.

Diphtheria is usually spread between people by direct contact, through the air, or through contact with contaminated objects. Asymptomatic transmission and chronic infection are also possible. Different strains of C. diphtheriae are the main cause in the variability of lethality. The lethality and symptoms themselves are caused by the exotoxin produced by the bacteria. Diagnosis can often be made based on the appearance of the throat with confirmation by microbiological culture. Previous infection may not protect against reinfection.