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Diphtheria Diagnosis

The current definition of diphtheria used by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is based on both laboratory and clinical criteria.

Laboratory criteria

  • Isolation of ''Corynebacterium diphtheriae'' from a clinical specimen, or
  • Histopathologic diagnosis of diphtheria

Clinical criteria

  • Upper respiratory tract illness with sore throat
  • high-grade fever, and
  • An adherent pseudomembrane of the tonsil(s), pharynx, and/or nose.

Case classification

  • Probable: a clinically compatible case that is not laboratory-confirmed and is not epidemiologically linked to a laboratory-confirmed case
  • Confirmed: a clinically compatible case that is either laboratory-confirmed or epidemiologically linked to a laboratory-confirmed case

Empirical treatment should generally be started in a patient in whom suspicion of diphtheria is high.

Further Reading


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