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Diphtheria

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Bacterial Infections of Humans

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Abstract

Diphtheria is an acute infectious and communicable disease involving primarily the tonsils, pharynx, larynx, or nose, and occasionally other mucous membranes or skin. A false membrane is formed in one or more of these locations. This is the site of production of the diphtheria toxin, which is responsible for the general symptomatology and subsequent damage of many organs, including cardiac and central nervous system tissue. Although the incidence of the disease has declined substantially with improved immunization, the continuing occurrence of cases in most countries and the relatively high casefatality ratios of 5–10% emphasize its importance.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pediatrics, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, 90033, USA

    Paul F. Wehrle

  2. Los Angeles County, University of Southern California Medical Center, Los Angeles, California, 90033, USA

    Paul F. Wehrle

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  1. Paul F. Wehrle
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Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA

    Alfred S. Evans (John Rodman Paul Professor of Epidemiology) (John Rodman Paul Professor of Epidemiology)

  2. Upstate Medical Center, State University of New York, Syracuse, New York, USA

    Harry A. Feldman

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© 1982 Springer Science+Business Media New York

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Wehrle, P.F. (1982). Diphtheria. In: Evans, A.S., Feldman, H.A. (eds) Bacterial Infections of Humans. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4757-1140-0_11

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4757-1140-0_11

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Boston, MA

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4757-1142-4

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4757-1140-0

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