Diphtheria overview: Difference between revisions
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==Overview== | ==Overview== | ||
'''Diphtheria''' ([[Greek language|Greek]] ''διφθερα'' (''diphthera'') — “pair of leather scrolls”), is an | '''Diphtheria''' ([[Greek language|Greek]] ''διφθερα'' (''diphthera'') — “pair of leather scrolls”), is an [[upper respiratory tract]] illness characterized by [[sore throat]], low-grade [[fever]], and an adherent membrane (a ''pseudomembrane'') on the[[tonsil]]s, [[pharynx]], and/or [[nasal cavity]].<ref name=Sherris>{{cite book | author = Ryan KJ, Ray CG (editors) | title = Sherris Medical Microbiology | edition = 4th ed. | pages =299–302 | publisher = McGraw Hill | year = 2004 | isbn = 0838585299 }}</ref> A milder form of [[diphtheria]] can be restricted to the [[skin]]. It is caused by ''[[Corynebacterium diphtheriae]]'', a [[Facultative anaerobic organism|facultatively anaerobic]][[Gram-positive]] [[bacterium]].<ref>Office of Laboratory Security, Public Health Agency of Canada [http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/msds-ftss/msds42e.html ''Corynebacterium diphtheriae''] Material Safety Data Sheet. January 2000.</ref> | ||
Diphtheria is a highly contagious disease spread by direct physical contact or breathing the [[particulate|aerosolized]] secretions of infected individuals. Once quite common, diphtheria has largely been eradicated in developed nations through wide-spread [[vaccination]]. In the [[United States]] for instance, between 1980 and 2004 there have been 57 reported cases of diphtheria (and only five cases since 2000)<ref name =Pinkbook>{{cite book | author = Atkinson W, Hamborsky J, McIntyre L, Wolfe S, eds. | title = Diphtheria. ''in:'' Epidemiology and Prevention of Vaccine-Preventable Diseases (The Pink Book) | edition = 10th ed. | pages = 59–70 | publisher = Washington DC: Public Health Foundation | year = 2007 | url = http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/pubs/pinkbook/downloads/dip.pdf }}</ref> as the [[DPT vaccine|DPT]](''Diphtheria–[[Pertussis]]–[[Tetanus]]'') vaccine is given to all school children. Boosters of the vaccine are recommended for adults since the benefits of the vaccine decrease with age; they are particularly recommended for those traveling to areas where the disease has not been eradicated. | Diphtheria is a highly contagious disease spread by direct physical contact or breathing the [[particulate|aerosolized]] secretions of infected individuals. Once quite common, diphtheria has largely been eradicated in developed nations through wide-spread [[vaccination]]. In the [[United States]] for instance, between 1980 and 2004 there have been 57 reported cases of diphtheria (and only five cases since 2000)<ref name =Pinkbook>{{cite book | author = Atkinson W, Hamborsky J, McIntyre L, Wolfe S, eds. | title = Diphtheria. ''in:'' Epidemiology and Prevention of Vaccine-Preventable Diseases (The Pink Book) | edition = 10th ed. | pages = 59–70 | publisher = Washington DC: Public Health Foundation | year = 2007 | url = http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/pubs/pinkbook/downloads/dip.pdf }}</ref> as the [[DPT vaccine|DPT]](''Diphtheria–[[Pertussis]]–[[Tetanus]]'') vaccine is given to all school children. Boosters of the vaccine are recommended for adults since the benefits of the vaccine decrease with age; they are particularly recommended for those traveling to areas where the disease has not been eradicated. | ||
Revision as of 01:33, 21 July 2014
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Diphtheria Microchapters |
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Diagnosis |
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Treatment |
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Case Studies |
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Diphtheria overview On the Web |
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American Roentgen Ray Society Images of Diphtheria overview |
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]
Overview
Diphtheria (Greek διφθερα (diphthera) — “pair of leather scrolls”), is an upper respiratory tract illness characterized by sore throat, low-grade fever, and an adherent membrane (a pseudomembrane) on thetonsils, pharynx, and/or nasal cavity.[1] A milder form of diphtheria can be restricted to the skin. It is caused by Corynebacterium diphtheriae, a facultatively anaerobicGram-positive bacterium.[2]
Diphtheria is a highly contagious disease spread by direct physical contact or breathing the aerosolized secretions of infected individuals. Once quite common, diphtheria has largely been eradicated in developed nations through wide-spread vaccination. In the United States for instance, between 1980 and 2004 there have been 57 reported cases of diphtheria (and only five cases since 2000)[3] as the DPT(Diphtheria–Pertussis–Tetanus) vaccine is given to all school children. Boosters of the vaccine are recommended for adults since the benefits of the vaccine decrease with age; they are particularly recommended for those traveling to areas where the disease has not been eradicated.
References
- ↑ Ryan KJ, Ray CG (editors) (2004). Sherris Medical Microbiology (4th ed. ed.). McGraw Hill. pp. 299–302. ISBN 0838585299.
- ↑ Office of Laboratory Security, Public Health Agency of Canada Corynebacterium diphtheriae Material Safety Data Sheet. January 2000.
- ↑ Atkinson W, Hamborsky J, McIntyre L, Wolfe S, eds. (2007). Diphtheria. in: Epidemiology and Prevention of Vaccine-Preventable Diseases (The Pink Book) (PDF) (10th ed. ed.). Washington DC: Public Health Foundation. pp. 59&ndash, 70.