Diphtheria

Question 1

Etiology of diphtheria?

Answer 1

Organism: corynebacterium diphtheria (gram +ve bacilli producing powerful exotoxin)
Route: droplet infection
IP: 2 to 4 days

Question 2

CP of diphtheria?

Answer 2

Starts with malaise, prostration and LOW GRADE FEVER 
1.	Pharyngeal diphtheria (MC)
2.	Laryngeal diphtheria
3.	Other rare types 
Plus CERVICLE LN++

Question 3

DD of diphtheria?

Answer 3

1. Pharyngeal diphtheria (TAMTAM)

2. Laryngeal diphtheria (acute stridor)

Question 4

DD of pharyngeal diphtheria?

Answer 4

1. Follicular tonsillitis
2. Post tonsillectomy
3. Infectious mononeucleosis
4. Oral moniliasis
5. Agranulocytosis
6. Vincent angina

Question 5

DD of laryngeal diphtheria?

Answer 5

1. Infectious
   a. Viral
   i. Laryngotracheobronchitis
   ii. Acute laryngitis
   iii. Spasmodic laryngitis
   b. Bacterial
   i. Acute epiglottitis
   ii. Acute tracheitis (staph aureus)
   iii. Laryngeal diphtheria
2. Non infectious
   a. Laryngeal FB
   b. Laryngospasm
   c. Laryngeal edema
   d. Laryngeal compression

Question 6

Investigation of diphtheria?

Answer 6

1. Isolation of
2. CBC
3. Schick test

Question 7

Complications of diphtheria?

Answer 7

1. Respiratory
2. Cardiac
3. Polyneuropathy

Question 8

Ttt of diphtheria?

Answer 8

1. Cases
   a. Isolation and bed rest for 2 weeks
   b. Diphtheria antitoxin
   c. Antibiotics erythromyacin/ penicillin G for 14 days
   d. After recovery ( throat culture, vaccination)
2. Contacts
3. Prevention

Question 9

Prognonsis of diphtheria?

Answer 9

1. Myocarditis and neuropathy is slow but complete

2. Mortality rate it around 5 to 25% mainly due to myocarditis and respiratory failure