transmission
Last reviewed 11/2022
Humans are the only known reservoir for C. diphtheriae while normal reservoir of C. ulcerans is cattle (1). There is no intermediate host.
The organism is transmitted by infected droplets spread via:
- air-borne droplets from patients or from healthy carriers
- direct contact with respiratory secretions or exudates from infected cutaneous lesion
- articles soiled with discharges from lesions of infected people - rarely (3)
Prolonged close contact is normally required for transmission (3).
Reference:
- (1) Adler NR, Mahony A, Friedman ND. Diphtheria: forgotten, but not gone. Intern Med J. 2013;43(2):206-10
- (2) Immunisation Against Infectious Disease - "The Green Book". Chapter 15 Diphtheria (January 2013)
- (3) Bonnet JM, Begg NT.Control of diphtheria: guidance for consultants in communicable disease control. World Health Organization. Commun Dis Public Health. 1999;2(4):242-9