Related Experiment Video

Updated: Oct 17, 2026

Evaluation of Host-Pathogen Responses and Vaccine Efficacy in Mice
08:52

Evaluation of Host-Pathogen Responses and Vaccine Efficacy in Mice

Published on: February 22, 2019

Epidemiology and control of diphtheria in the Republic of Moldova, 1946-1996

M Magdei1, A Melnic, O Benes

  • 1Director General's Office, Ministry of Health,National Scientific and Practical Center for Preventive Medicine, Chisinau, Moldova.

The Journal of Infectious Diseases
|February 5, 2000
PubMed

Insights

A diphtheria epidemic in Moldova (1994-1996) was controlled by aggressive public health measures. These included mass immunization, rapid case identification, and contact management, restoring control after decades of low disease incidence.

Area of Science:

  • Epidemiology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Public Health

Background:

  • The Republic of Moldova experienced a significant diphtheria epidemic between 1994 and 1996.
  • This outbreak occurred after a prolonged period of routine immunization and disease absence.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To describe the epidemiology, laboratory findings, and control measures during the Moldovan diphtheria epidemic.
  • To analyze the clinical presentation and etiological agents of diphtheria during the outbreak.

Main Methods:

  • Epidemiological surveillance and case investigation.
  • Bacteriological confirmation and biotyping of diphtheria isolates.
  • Phagotyping of toxigenic strains.
  • Implementation of population-based control strategies.

Main Results:

  • Pharyngeal diphtheria predominated (97%), with localized (70%) and toxic (20%) forms.
  • Bacteriological confirmation was achieved in 91% of cases.
  • Gravis biotype (91.3%) was most common; 47% of isolates were nonphagotypeable and 25.7% were phagotype VI.
  • Control measures rapidly curtailed the epidemic.

Conclusions:

  • The diphtheria epidemic in Moldova was characterized by specific clinical and microbiological features.
  • Aggressive, multi-faceted public health interventions, including mass immunization and contact management, were effective in controlling the outbreak.

More Related Videos

Establishment of Viral Infection and Analysis of Host-Virus Interaction in Drosophila Melanogaster09:57

Establishment of Viral Infection and Analysis of Host-Virus Interaction in Drosophila Melanogaster

Published on: March 14, 2019

Related Concept Videos

Diphtheria01:28

Diphtheria

Diphtheria is an acute, toxin-mediated infectious disease that primarily affects the upper respiratory tract. It is caused by Corynebacterium diphtheriae, a Gram-positive, pleomorphic rod that lacks spore-forming capability and exhibits a characteristic club-shaped morphology under microscopic examination. While C. diphtheriae can asymptomatically colonize mucosal surfaces, clinical disease manifests only when the bacterial strain is lysogenized by a specific β-corynephage. This phage...
Smallpox01:24

Smallpox

Smallpox is a severe contagious disease caused by the Variola major virus, a double-stranded DNA member of the Poxviridae family.Variola major transmission occurs primarily via inhalation of virus-laden droplets or direct contact with infectious scabs. The incubation period averages approximately seven days, although it may range from 7 to 17 days depending on the inoculum and host factors.Clinically, the prodromal phase is marked by an abrupt onset of high fever, malaise, headache, and myalgia.
Investigation of Disease Outbreaks01:23

Investigation of Disease Outbreaks

Multistate foodborne outbreaks pose significant public health risks and require meticulous investigation to identify sources and implement control measures. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) utilizes a dynamic seven-step process for these investigations, integrating data from laboratories, interviews, and environmental assessments to protect public health.Outbreak Detection: The detection of multistate outbreaks typically begins with PulseNet, the CDC's national laboratory...
Poliomyelitis01:17

Poliomyelitis

Poliomyelitis is caused by poliovirus, a small, non-enveloped, positive-sense RNA virus of the Picornaviridae family and Enterovirus genus. Transmission occurs primarily via the fecal-oral route, often through ingestion of contaminated water or food. The virus initially replicates in the oropharynx and intestinal mucosa, particularly in lymphoid tissues such as the tonsils, Peyer’s patches, and regional lymph nodes. Primary viremia follows, allowing dissemination throughout the body.In most...
Vaccinations01:51

Vaccinations

Overview
Infectious Diseases and Their Occurrence01:28

Infectious Diseases and Their Occurrence

Infectious diseases appear in populations through various transmission patterns, influenced by pathogen characteristics, population immunity, environmental conditions, and social behavior. Understanding these patterns is essential for effective public health surveillance and intervention. These categories—sporadic, outbreak, epidemic, pandemic, and endemic—help frame the nature and scope of disease events.Sporadic diseases occur irregularly and infrequently, without a predictable temporal or...