diph·the·ri·a

(dĭf-thîr′ē-ə, dĭp-)

An acute infectious disease caused by the bacterium Corynebacterium diphtheriae, which infects mucous membranes of the throat, causing formation of a thick layer called the false membrane that can obstruct breathing, and producing a potent toxin that enters the bloodstream and causes systemic effects that include damage to the heart and nervous system.

[New Latin diphthēria, from French diphthérie, from Greek diphtherā, piece of hide, leather; see letter.]

diph′the·rit′ic (-thə-rĭt′ĭk), diph·ther′ic (-thĕr′ĭk), diph·the′ri·al adj.

American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

References in periodicals archive

This resurgence may be due to immigration from endemic countries and the waning diphtherial immunity in adults5.

COMPLICATIONS AND OUTCOME OF DIPHTHERIA IN ADMITTED PEDIATRIC PATIENTS AT A TERTIARY CARE SETTING IN PESHAWAR

ENT Dr Iqbal said that special vaccine named ADS, anti diphtherial serum and anti toxim were needed which can protect the affected children.

Diphtheria claims 8 lives, infects dozen others in NWA

Non diphtherial corynebacteria, originally thought to be mainly contaminants, have increasingly over the past 2 decades and have been recognized as pathogenic.

Therapeutic management of urinary tract infection in a mare

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