1. D iphtheria Sorokhan V.D., MD, PhD Bukovinian State Medical University Department of infectious diseases and epidemiology

4. Pathophysiology The toxin is a single polypeptide with an active (A) domain, a binding (B) domain, and a hydrophobic segment known as the T domain, which helps release the active part of the polypeptide into the cytoplasm. T he toxin is responsible for many of the clinical manifestations of the disease.

5. Pathophysiology In most cases, C diphtheriae infection grows locally and elicits toxin rather than spreading hematogenously. The characteristic membrane of diphtheria is thick, leathery, grayish-blue or white and composed of bacteria, necrotic epithelium, macrophages, and fibrin. The membrane firmly adheres to the underlying mucosa; forceful removal of this membrane causes bleeding. The membrane can spread down the bronchial tree, causing respiratory tract obstruction and dyspnea.

32. Thank you for your attention!