diphtheria

American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition

1. n. An acute infectious disease caused by the bacillus Corynebacterium diphtheriae, characterized by the production of a systemic toxin and the formation of a false membrane on the lining of the mucous membrane of the throat and other respiratory passages, causing difficulty in breathing, high fever, and weakness. The toxin is particularly harmful to the tissues of the heart and central nervous system.

Century Dictionary and Cyclopedia

1. n. An infectious disease, characterized by the formation over the affected and inflamed parts of a firm whitish or grayish pellicle, or false membrane (which is removed with difficulty and leaves a raw surface), and by general prostration. It is not infrequently followed by more or less extended paralysis. The air-passages of the head are the most frequent seat of the diphtheritic membrane, although it may appear on other mucous surfaces and in wounds. The disease is very frequently fatal, and its ravages are extended by filth. Also diphtheritis.
2. n. Diphtheria is caused by a specific bacillus, called Bacillus diphtheriæ, or the Klebs-Loeffier bacillus, which usually can readily be detected in the exudate by microscopical methods. The search for this organism has become a routine measure in doubtful cases of inflammation of the upper air-passages, and often a positive diagnosis of such conditions can be made only in this way. The disease begins with swelling and redness of the throat, fever, and loss of strength. The false membrane appears early and may be confined to the tonsils or may spread to the mucous membrane of the nose, pharynx, or larynx. When the larynx is involved, the breathing becomes difficult, and suffocation may ensue. Formerly the only means of saving life in this complication was tracheotomy, but this has been almost entirely superseded by intubation. The disease may be followed by paralysis, by weakness of the heart, or by disease of the kidneys. Treatment, both curative and preventive, consists in the subcutaneous injection of diphtheria antitoxin — one of the earliest instances, and still the most effective instance, of serum therapy. See cut under Klebs-Loeffler *bacillus.

Wiktionary

1. n. A highly infectious disease of the upper respiratory tract characterised by a sore throat, fever, and difficulty breathing. Its effects are due to a potent toxin secreted by a bacterium.

GNU Webster's 1913

1. n. A very dangerous contagious disease in which the air passages, and especially the throat, become coated with a false membrane, produced by the solidification of an inflammatory exudation. Cf. group.

WordNet 3.0

1. n. acute contagious infection caused by the bacterium Corynebacterium diphtheriae; marked by the formation of a false membrane in the throat and other air passages causing difficulty in breathing