Final answer:
Diphtheria is caused by the bacterium Corynebacterium diphtheriae and can produce a deadly toxin resulting in cell death and a pseudomembrane in the throat. Vaccination has been key in preventing this disease, which can obstruct breathing and lead to severe complications if not treated.
Step-by-step explanation:
The medical term diphtheria is a serious infection caused by the toxigenic bacterium Corynebacterium diphtheriae. This pathogen can produce a potent diphtheria toxin which has the destructive capacity to block host-cell protein synthesis, ultimately resulting in cell death and an inflammatory response. The hallmark of this bacterial infection is the formation of a pseudomembrane in the patient's throat, which consists of dead cells, pus, fibrin, red blood cells, and infectious microbes.
Moreover, the effect of the diphtheria toxin includes the inactivation of elongation factor (EF)-2, preventing protein synthesis in the host cells and leading to their death. The pseudomembrane formed can obstruct the pharynx or trachea, which may necessitate medical interventions like intubation to prevent suffocation. If left untreated, the toxin can spread and cause further complications like heart damage (myocarditis) and nerve damage that impairs breathing.
Prevention of diphtheria has been significantly advanced by widespread vaccination efforts with vaccines such as DTP, Tdap, DT, and Td. These vaccines contain toxoids that provide immunity against the diphtheria toxin and help reduce the incidents of this potentially fatal disease.