Abstracto

Corynebacterium Diphtheriae Toxin Producing Strains: Understanding the Bacteria and Preventing Diphtheria

Paulson Christy

Corynebacterium diphtheria infects the nasopharynx or skin. Toxigenic strains secrete a potent exotoxin which may cause diphtheria. The symptoms of diphtheria include pharyngitis, fever, swelling of the neck or area surrounding the skin lesion. Diphtheritic lesions are covered by a pseudomembrane. The toxin is distributed to distant organs by the circulatory system and may cause paralysis and congestive heart failure.