Microbiology 9th Edition by Laura Black, Jacquelyn Black

Exercise 23

Which of the following is true about diphtheria?
(a) It is caused by strains of Corynebacterium diphthe riae infected with a prophage that carries an exotoxin producing gene.
(b) A pseudomembrane composed of Corynebacterium diphtheriae cells, damaged epithelial cells, fibrin, and blood cell forms that can block the airway and cause suffocation.
(c) The exotoxin spreads throughout the body, damaging multiple organ systems by interfering with cellular pro tein synthesis.
(d) It can be prevented with DTP (diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis) vaccine and treated with both antitoxin and antibiotics.
(e) All of the above are true.