Diptheria

Question 1

Causative organism and gram?

Answer 1

Corynebacterium diphtheriae - gram positive bacterium

Question 2

Characteristic symptom?

Answer 2

Causes a grey diptheric membrane on the tonsils caused by necrotic mucosal cells.

Question 3

Possible presentations/symptoms?

Answer 3

• Sore throat with a diptheric membrane
• Bulky cervical lymphadenopathy (bull neck appearance)
• Neuritis e.g. cranial nerves
• Heart block

Question 4

Investigations?

Answer 4

Culture of throat swab using tellurite agar or Loeffler’s media

Question 5

Treatment?

Answer 5

Intramuscular penicillin and diptheria antitoxin