Which part of the body is most affected by the disease diphtheria?
About Diphtheria It mainly affects the nose and throat. Children under 5 and adults over 60 years old are particularly at risk for contracting the infection. People living in crowded or unclean conditions, those who aren’t well nourished, and children and adults who don’t have up-to-date immunizations are also at risk.
How does diphtheria affect the nervous system?
Complications. Diphtheria can cause toxins to be released into the circulatory system and tissues that can cause extensive organ damage. Complications affecting the heart and neurological complications, such as paralysis, can develop.
How does diphtheria affect the skin?
Cutaneous diphtheria is a skin infection caused by a toxin (poison) produced by a bacteria called Corynebacterium diphtheriae (or more rarely by C. ulcerans). The toxin can affect the nerves and heart muscle although this is more common in the other form of disease called pharyngeal (throat) diphtheria.
What effect does diphtheria toxin have on host cells?
Diphtheria toxin kills human cells because it delivers its enzyme domain DTA into their cytosol where it inhibits protein synthesis. After receptor-mediated uptake of the toxin, DTA translocates from acidic endosomes into the cytosol, which might be assisted by host cell factors.
What are the complications of diphtheria?
What are the complications of diphtheria?
- Respiratory failure due to pseudomembrane formation or aspiration, tissue edema, and necrosis.
- Cardiac – Myocarditis, cardiac dilatation and failure, mycotic aneurysm, endocarditis.
- Rhythm disturbances – Heart block, including AV dissociation and dysrhythmias.
What is the source of the diphtheria toxin?
Diphtheria toxin (DT) is one of the most extensively studied bacterial toxins with intracellular action. It is produced by toxigenic strains of Corynebacterium diphtheriae and is responsible for the symptoms of diphtheria. The toxin was isolated in 1888. A vaccine was developed in 1923.
What does the diphtheria toxin do?
Diphtheria toxin (DT) is an extracellular protein of Corynebacterium diphtheriae that inhibits protein synthesis and kills susceptible cells.