Corynebacterium diphtheriae Flashcards
how does corynebacterium look like when stained?
Cuneiform “chinese letter” arrangement *
what bacteria is this?
corynebacterium diphteriae
what will patients with corynebacterium diphtheriae present with?
Marked bilateral cervical lymphadenopathy
leathery thick adherent membrane (pseudomembrane)
pharyngitis
what exotoxin will corynebacterium diphteriae produce?
Diphtheria toxin *
what will the diphtheria exotoxin do and how?
Inhibits protein synthesis – ribosylation of EF-2 *
what tissues will diphtheriae toxin target?
heart and nerve
how does Corynebacterium diphtheriae look like under the microscope?
gram positive rod/bacillus
do all corynebacterium diphtheriae bacteria have the diptheria exotoxin inherently?
no, the toxin is provided by a bacteriophage
what diphtheria bacteria have the exotoxin?
those that are lysogenic and have integrated the bacteriophage DNA
what respiratory problems will Corynebacterium diphtheriae cause?
bullneck (swelling of neck)
Pseudomembrane * in oropharynx
Complications with corynebacterium diptheriae arise in what patients?
(unvaccinated children) *
what is the most common complication with the diphtheria toxin?
Myocarditis with cardiac arrhythmias*
what other complication (besides cardiac) can occur with diphtheria?
Inflammation and damage of nerves *
- Paralysis of soft palate and pharynx
- recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy
how is diphtheria diagnosed?
Elek test – toxin demonstration*
how do you treat diphtheria?
Antitoxin + Erythromycin/Penicillin
