Diphtheria: Causes

Pathogenesis (development of disease)

Corynebacterium diphtheriae (or other species, such as C. ulcerans) is transmitted by droplet infection or direct contact. Only members of this species, which contain a diphtheria toxin, cause diphtheria. In this process, the bacterium causes cell death, which then leads to the necrosis (death of tissue) described above. The severity of diphtheria depends on the type of cell affected.

Etiology (causes)

Behavioral causes