Final answer:
The statement regarding C. diphtheriae means that the diphtheria toxin produced by the bacteria has a greater impact on the severity of the disease than the mere presence of the bacteria. The toxin disrupts protein synthesis, leading to cell death and the characteristic pseudomembrane formation, which can have serious consequences if not treated correctly with antitoxins and controlled through vaccination using DTaP vaccines.
Step-by-step explanation:
When they say that "the presence of the bacteria is not the problem, the toxin is" regarding Corynebacterium diphtheriae (C. diphtheria), it highlights that the mere presence of the bacteria isn't as significant as the diphtheria toxin it produces. This toxin, encoded by a bacteriophage, inhibits protein synthesis within host cells, leading to cell death. It's the action of the toxin that results in the characteristic symptoms of diphtheria, such as the formation of pseudomembrane in the throat which causes swelling and breathing difficulties, and can potentially be fatal if the toxin spreads and causes damage to other tissues like the heart and nerves.
The pseudomembrane is composed of dead host cells, pus, red blood cells, fibrin, and infectious bacteria. Treatment for diphtheria includes administering broad-spectrum antibiotics to control the bacterial infection and antitoxins to neutralize the toxin. However, antibiotics are ineffective against the toxin itself, thus emphasizing the critical nature of the toxin over the bacteria in the context of pathogenicity and treatment.
Widespread vaccination, such as the DTaP vaccine, has significantly reduced the prevalence of diphtheria worldwide by priming the immune system against the toxin.