Picture 11
This pciture shows Corynebacterium diphtheriae in Gram stain.
Corynebacterium diphtheriae
Morphology: Gram positive, club-shaped rods arranged in V or L formations, do not exhibit tumbling movement of Listeria
Route of transmission: fomites, air-borne droplets
Investigations: Gram stain and culture, examination of pharynx and tonsils for pseudomembrane formation
Diseases:
Diphtheria - tonsillopharyngeal, cutaneous
Toxic myocarditis, polyneuritis
Pneumonia
Treatment:
Antitoxin
Penicillin G, Erythromycin, Rifampin or Clindamycin to eliminate carrier state
DPT vaccine for prevention