• Dr. Md. Mohsin Shah
• Dr. Ansari Abdullah
• Dr. Rahmani Shaheda Parveen
• Dr. Saleem Ahmad
• Dr. Qutbuddin Shaikh

Diphtheria outbreaks, though very rare, still occur worldwide, in the developed and developing countries. Diphtheria has high mortality in non-vaccinated populations. Coryne-bacterium diphtheria produce very potent toxin when infected with a bacteriophage that migrates the toxin-encoding genetic elements into bacteria. The R domain binds to a cell surface receptor, permitting the toxin to enter the cell by receptor mediated endocytosis. The toxin elaborated locally induces a dense necrotic coagulum composed of fibrin, leukocytosis, dead respiratory epithelial cells, leading to white-gray brown pseudo membrane; a common cause of death is suffocation after aspiration of membrane. Complications may include myocarditis, inflammation of nerves, kidney problems, and bleeding due to low blood platelets, Diagnosis by isolation of Coryne-bacterium diphtheria from gram stain or throat culture, or histo-pathogic diagnosis. Treatment with metronidazole, erythromycin, procaine penicillin G orally or by injection or rifampin or clindamycin for patients with allergies to penicillin or erythromycin. Prevention by immunization, diphtheria vaccine is on the World Health Organization list of essential medicines, most important needed in the basic health system. Recommendations from the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, 2006-2008, published by CDC are useful. Anti-vaccination groups are doing more harm than good to the society.

Diphtheria, Pseudo-membrane, Clinical manifestations, Immunization, Vaccination, Herbal Medicine used in treatment of Diphtheria

" Diphtheria and Unani Treatment: A Review", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.8, Issue 2, page no.1219-1232, February-2021, Available :http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR2102145.pdf

" Diphtheria and Unani Treatment: A Review", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org | UGC and issn Approved), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.8, Issue 2, page no. pp1219-1232, February-2021, Available at : http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR2102145.pdf