Diphtheria was discovered in 1613 in Spain. In 1735, an epidemic of diphtheria broke out in New England and did not receive the name until 1826.
Another laboratory test involves growing the diphtheria bacillus on a special material called Loeffler's medium.
To determine a persons susceptibility to diphtheria.
Reporting is necessary to track potential epidemics, to help doctors identify the specific strain of diphtheria, and to see if resistance to penicillin or erythromycin has developed.
Today there are approximately 0-5 cases of diphtheria per year in the United States.
David Wechsler developed an intelligence test for children in 1949 called the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children (WISC).
Today there are approximately 0-5 cases of diphtheria per year in the United States.
Diphtheria is cured with an antitoxin that neutralizes the toxin._____________________________________________________________________\Diphtheria is a bacterial disease (corynebacterium diphtheriae) that has an [incubation period] of one week. The symptoms include a sore throat, fever, swelling of the lymph nodes, and a thick grayish membrane forms over the tonsils and pharynx which can cause difficulty breathing and swallowing. Diphtheria can also affect the heart, kidneys, and nervous system. Diphtheria is cured with an antitoxin that neutralizes the toxin. Respirators and antibiotics are used to minimize the complications. [Vaccine] and booster shots for diphtheria were developed in 1920.-In the late 1800's, diphtheria epidemics spread throughout the United States and Europe until 1920, when a vaccine was developed.-The only way to keep diphtheria out of the United States is to maintain the highest level of immunization possible through vaccination.-Diphtheria is spread through a cough or a sneeze.-Diphtheria is Greek for a piece of leather, referring to the tough gray mucous membrane blocking the throat.
Because diphtheria must be treated as quickly as possible, doctors usually make the diagnosis on the basis of the visible symptoms without waiting for test results.
1882
To prove that the diphtheria organism (Corynebacterium diphtheriae) has the potential to cause disease, the Elek test is commonly used. This test detects the presence of diphtheria toxin produced by the bacteria. A positive result indicates that the organism is capable of causing disease due to toxin production. The Elek test is performed by inoculating a culture medium with the suspected organism and then applying antitoxin to observe for toxin production through a characteristic precipitin line.
The bacterium was discovered in 1882 by Edwin Klebs.