Reporting Obligations
Suspected cases must be reported immediately by telephone to the Thunder Bay District Health Unit at 625-8318 or toll-free 1-888-294-6630, ext. 8318 (Monday-Friday, 8:30am to 4:30pm). After hours and on weekends/holidays call Thunder Bay Answering Service at (807) 624-1280.
Epidemiology
Aetiologic Agent:
Diphtheria is caused by Corynebacterium diphtheria, an aerobic Gram-positive bacillus with four biotypes: gravis, mitis, belfanti and intermedius. Strains may be toxigenic or nontoxigenic. Only the toxigenic strains produce exotoxin and can cause serious diseases. The nontoxigenic strains produce a milder symptomatic clinical illness and have been associated with infective endocarditis.
Clinical Presentation:
Acute bacterial disease primarily involving the pharynx, tonsils, larynx, nose, occasionally other mucous membranes or skin and sometimes conjunctivae or vagina.
The most common site for Diphtheria is the pharyngeal/ tonsillar region. Cases present with malaise, sore throat, anorexia, and low-grade fever. The characteristic membrane occurs in the area two to three days later, which can obstruct breathing. The membrane is asymmetrical, adherent and grayish white.
Absorption of the toxin can produce effects such as cranial and peripheral motor and sensory nerve palsies, myocarditis, and neuritis.
Modes of transmission:
Transmission is most often person-to-person spread from the respiratory tract. Both cases and carriers can be a source of infection. Rarely, transmission may occur from skin lesions or articles soiled with discharges from lesions of infected persons (fomites).
Incubation Period:
Usually 2-5 days but can range from 1-10 days.
Period of Communicability:
Variable; until virulent bacilli have disappeared from discharges and lesions, usually two weeks or less and seldom more than four weeks for respiratory diphtheria. Chronic carriers may shed organisms for six months or more. Effective antibiotic therapy promptly terminates shedding.
Risk Factors/Susceptibility
- Under-immunized
- Recent travel to an area with endemic diphtheria
- Crowded environments
- Poor hygiene
Diagnosis & Laboratory Testing
Notify your local public health laboratory prior to submitting a specimen for testing. Specify “diphtheria culture” on the requisition.
Diphtheria is diagnosed based on the isolation of toxigenic Corynebacterium diphtheria. Lab sample for culture and toxin determination is a swab of throat, nose, or skin lesion. Swabs should be taken for culture before antibiotic therapy is initiated. If a membrane is present, obtain swabs from the edge or underneath. Charcoal transport medium should be used and specimens should be transported as soon as possible. A comprehensive case history should be obtained to support the diagnosis, including onset, symptoms, immunization status, and travel history within the last two weeks.
Two or more specimens can be submitted. After the C. diphtheria organism is isolated, the Elek test will be done to identify if it is a toxigenic strain. A toxic gene PCR result should be acted upon for public health management, without waiting for a confirmation of the Elek test.
Testing Information & Requisition
Treatment & Case Management
Treatment of clinical cases involves administration of diphtheria antitoxin and antibiotic therapy. Treatment should be started as soon as possible and should not be withheld pending lab confirmation. Antitoxin can be obtained only from the Public Health Division by calling 416-327-7392 during business hours Monday to Friday and 1-800-268-6060 at all other times (request PHD staff on call).
Antibiotic therapy is also needed to eliminate the organism and prevent spread and is not a substitute for antitoxin. Erythromycin and penicillin are effective and can be initiated after cultures have been obtained for a total of 14 days.
Cases should be under respiratory isolation until antibiotic treatment is finished and 2 cultures have been taken 24 hours apart and are negative for C. diphtheriae.
Contact management will need to be discussed with your local public health unit.
Patient Information
References
1. Ministry of Health and Long Term Care, Infectious Diseases Protocol - Appendix 1 (2022) Diphtheria.
Additional Resources
- MOHLTC. "Publicly Funded Immunization Schedule for Ontario", June 2022
- Heymann, D.L. Control of Communicable Disease Manual (20th Ed.). Washington, American Public Health Association, 2015.