How *Corynebacterium diphtheriae* Produces Diphtheria Toxin
May 13, 2022
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Jiang Weimin
Introduction
Corynebacterium diphtheriae is the pathogenic bacterium clinically responsible for diphtheria in children. After entering the human body, the bacteria produce diphtheria toxin, leading to edema of the pharyngeal, laryngeal, and tracheal mucosa and sloughing of the pseudomembrane, which may result in airway obstruction. Patients are advised to seek timely medical care at a qualified hospital and receive treatment as prescribed by a physician. Infection with C. diphtheriae primarily causes pharyngitis and is an acute respiratory infectious disease.
Corynebacterium diphtheriae is a relatively rare bacterium; consequently, most patients are unfamiliar with it, often leading to delayed diagnosis and treatment after infection. How does Corynebacterium diphtheriae produce diphtheria toxin?
How Corynebacterium diphtheriae Produces Diphtheria Toxin
Corynebacterium diphtheriae is the primary pathogen responsible for diphtheria in children. Upon entering the human body, the bacteria secrete diphtheria toxin, causing edema of the pharyngeal, laryngeal, and tracheal mucosa, as well as sloughing of the pseudomembrane—potentially resulting in airway obstruction. Patients are advised to seek prompt medical evaluation and treatment at a reputable hospital, following their physician’s prescribed regimen.
Infection with Corynebacterium diphtheriae primarily causes pharyngitis and is an acute respiratory infectious disease. Pharyngeal diphtheria is the most common clinical form, accounting for approximately 80% of all diphtheria cases, whereas laryngeal diphtheria is less frequent, representing about 20%. Clinical manifestations of pharyngeal diphtheria include fever, sore throat, erythema and swelling of the pharynx, hyperemia, and tonsillar enlargement, followed by the appearance of a grayish-white pseudomembrane. Systemic signs of infection and toxicity may include chills, anorexia, and arthralgia affecting multiple joints, as well as generalized myalgia.
In addition to the characteristic grayish-white pseudomembrane in the larynx, patients with laryngeal diphtheria commonly present with hoarseness or aphonia, a barking cough, and inspiratory stridor due to laryngeal obstruction—manifesting as the classic “triple concavity sign”: retractions of the suprasternal notch, supraclavicular fossae, and intercostal spaces. Severe diphtheria may lead to complications such as myocarditis and peripheral neuropathy; myocarditis is frequently the primary cause of death in these patients. We hope this information proves helpful!
