What is non toxigenic diphtheria?
Non-toxigenic isolates of C. diphtheriae have become prevalent. Although diphtheria toxin is regarded as the main virulence factor of C. diphtheriae, invasive infections caused by non-toxigenic isolates suggest that these strains may possess additional virulence factors.
What does Corynebacterium diphtheriae look like?
Bacteriology. Corynebacterium diphtheriae is a slender Gram-positive bacillus, usually with one end being wider, thus giving the often-described club-shaped appearance. On culture, particularly under suboptimal conditions, characteristic bands or granules appear.
What are the two types of diphtheria?
Diphtheria is a highly contagious and potentially life-threatening bacterial disease caused by Corynebacterium diphtheriae. There are two types of diphtheria: respiratory and cutaneous. Respiratory diphtheria involves the nose, throat and tonsils, and cutaneous diphtheria involves the skin.
Is Diphtheria Gram positive or negative?
diphtheriae is a pleomorphic, club-shaped, Gram positive bacillus that is catalase positive, non-motile, non-spore forming, and non-acid fast.
What’s the most common type of diphtheria?
In faucial diphtheria, the most common type, the infection is limited mostly to the tonsillar region; most patients recover if properly treated with diphtheria antitoxin.
Which stain is used for Corynebacterium diphtheriae?
Albert’s method, of staining diphtheria cultures consists of staining a fixed smear for one minute (some laboratories stain for five minutes) with a solution containing toluidine blue and malachite (or methyl) green, washing with water, and applying Albert’s iodine for one minute.
What classification is diphtheria?
Diphtheria can be classified according to the type of Corynebacterium that causes a specific case. It can also be divided according to the resulting clinical presentation into respiratory, systemic, or cutaneous diphtheria.
What antibiotics treat diphtheria?
Antibiotics. The recommended antibiotics for respiratory or cutaneous diphtheria is either erythromycin or penicillin.
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