Diseases

Diphtheria

A localized infection of mucous membranes or skin caused by toxigenic strains of CORYNEBACTERIUM DIPHTHERIAE. It is characterized by the presence of a pseudomembrane at the site of infection. DIPHTHERIA TOXIN, produced by C. diphtheriae, can cause myocarditis, polyneuritis, and other systemic toxic effects.

National Library of MedicineMedical Subject Headings2026

Structured Summary

Abstract

A localized infection of mucous membranes or skin caused by toxigenic strains of CORYNEBACTERIUM DIPHTHERIAE. It is characterized by the presence of a pseudomembrane at the site of infection. DIPHTHERIA TOXIN, produced by C. diphtheriae, can cause myocarditis, polyneuritis, and other systemic toxic effects.

MeSH Record

Classification

Related Concepts

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MeSH Record

Synonyms

3 entry terms
  • Corynebacterium diphtheriae Infection
  • Corynebacterium diphtheriae Infections
  • Infection, Corynebacterium diphtheriae

MeSH Record

Aspects Covered

36 allowable subheadings

Indexed with the subheadings blood, cerebrospinal fluid, chemically induced, classification, complications, congenital, diagnosis, diagnostic imaging, diet therapy, drug therapy, economics, embryology, enzymology, epidemiology, ethnology, etiology, genetics, history, immunology, metabolism, microbiology, mortality, nursing, parasitology, pathology, physiopathology, prevention & control, psychology, radiotherapy, rehabilitation, surgery, therapy, transmission, urine, veterinary, virology.

MeSH Record

Indexing Annotation

caused by Corynebacterium diphtheriae

MeSH Hierarchy

Tree Number

MeSH Record

NLM Classification

WC 320

AMA Style

References

  1. National Library of Medicine. Diphtheria. Medical Subject Headings (MeSH). 2026. Unique ID D004165. http://id.nlm.nih.gov/mesh/2026/D004165
  2. Diphtheria. In: Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diphtheria
  3. Diphtheria. In: Wikidata. https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q134649