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Diphtheria

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Infections of the Ears, Nose, Throat, and Sinuses

Abstract

Diphtheria, a highly contagious disease, is now rare in most countries but still endemic in many developing nations. Clinical features on presentation include sore throat, difficulty swallowing, low-grade fever, and an adherent pseudomembrane in the throat. Cardiac and neurologic complications may result from the potent exotoxin produced by Corynebacterium diphtheriae. Early diagnosis and prompt treatment with antitoxin, along with antibiotics, are essential for decreasing the risk of death. The only way to reduce the prevalence of diphtheria in endemic countries and prevent future epidemics is through complete vaccination of all children and booster vaccination of adults. This chapter reviews the epidemiology, clinical features, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of diphtheria.

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Acknowledgement

The authors would like to thank Dr. Sumit Chakrabarty for his critical review of the manuscript and Mr. Asish Sikder for his technical support.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Medicine, Nil Ratan Sircar Medical College, Kolkata, West Bengal, India

    Alakes Kumar Kole

  2. Peerless Hospital & B K Roy Research Centre, Chak Garia, Pancha Sayar, Kolkata, West Bengal, India

    Dalia Chanda Kole

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  1. Alakes Kumar Kole
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  2. Dalia Chanda Kole
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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Infectious Diseases, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA

    Marlene L. Durand

  2. Department of Otolaryngology, Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA

    Daniel G. Deschler

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Kole, A.K., Kole, D.C. (2018). Diphtheria. In: Durand, M., Deschler, D. (eds) Infections of the Ears, Nose, Throat, and Sinuses. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-74835-1_19

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-74835-1_19

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-319-74834-4

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-319-74835-1

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