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Application of Long-term cultured Interferon-γ Enzyme-linked Immunospot Assay for Assessing Effector and Memory T Cell Responses in Cattle

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Diphtheria: forgotten, but not gone.

N R Adler¹, A Mahony, N D Friedman

¹Geelong Clinical School, School of Medicine, Deakin University, Geelong, Victoria, Australia. nrad@deakin.edu.au

Internal Medicine Journal

|February 14, 2013

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Diphtheria, caused by Corynebacterium diphtheriae, is a serious infectious disease. Maintaining high vaccination rates is crucial to prevent its resurgence, especially in adults and travelers.

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Area of Science:

Infectious Diseases
Vaccinology
Public Health

Background:

Diphtheria is an acute, highly infectious, vaccine-preventable disease caused by Corynebacterium diphtheriae.
It can manifest as respiratory, cutaneous, or asymptomatic infections, with pharyngeal/tonsillar sites being most common.
Complications include cardiac and neurological toxicity due to toxin dissemination.

Observation:

Routine childhood vaccination dramatically reduced diphtheria incidence in industrialized nations.
However, recent cases in Australia highlight the pathogen's continued threat.
The effectiveness of treatment, particularly diphtheria antitoxin, is inversely related to illness duration.

Findings:

Diphtheria was a leading infectious cause of death in Australia pre-vaccination.
Recent diphtheria cases and positive cultures in Australia indicate a need for increased vigilance.
Immunity levels in school leavers and adults may be insufficient.

Implications:

Public health strategies must focus on boosting immunity in adolescents and adults.
Travellers to endemic regions require full immunization.
Clinicians and policymakers must prioritize diphtheria vaccination for all age groups, including adults and travelers.