How does diphtheria toxin affect protein synthesis?

Diphtheria toxin kills cells by inhibiting eukaryotic protein synthesis, and its mechanism of action has been extensively characterized. This potent toxin inactivates elongation factor (EF-2) required for protein synthesis (Collier, 1967).

How is diphtheria toxin formed?

Diphtheria toxin is synthesized by toxigenic strains of Corynebacterium diphtheriae in precursor form and following cleavage of its 25 amino acid signal sequence, it is released into the culture medium as a 535 amino acid single chain protein [2,3,4].

How is diphtheria toxin regulated?

The tox gene has been shown to be regulated by the heavy metal ion-activated regulatory element DtxR. In the presence of divalent heavy metal ions, DtxR becomes activated and binds to a 9 bp interrupted palindromic sequence.

How does diphtheria antitoxin work?

Diphtheria antitoxin is made from the blood plasma of horses that have been immunized against diphtheria toxin. It works by neutralizing the toxins produced by Corynebacterium diphtheriae.

How do I get rid of diphtheria toxin?

1. Name and concentration of decontamination solution: Use 1:10 bleach solution, made daily.
2. Time for effective decontamination: 30 minutes contact time with 1:10 bleach solution at room temperature will inactivate the toxin.

What type of vaccine is diphtheria?

There are 4 vaccines that include protection against diphtheria: The DTaP vaccine protects young children from diphtheria, tetanus, and whooping cough. The DT vaccine protects young children from diphtheria and tetanus. The Tdap vaccine protects preteens, teens, and adults from tetanus, diphtheria, and whooping cough.

Is diphtheria a virus?

Diphtheria is a serious infection caused by strains of bacteria called Corynebacterium diphtheriae that make a toxin (poison). It is the toxin that can cause people to get very sick. Diphtheria bacteria spread from person to person, usually through respiratory droplets, like from coughing or sneezing.

Is diphtheria a neurotoxin?

Diphtheria toxin is an exotoxin secreted by Corynebacterium, the pathogenic bacterium that causes diphtheria. The toxin gene is encoded by a prophage called corynephage β….Diphtheria toxin.

What are the effects of diphtheria toxin?

Diphtheria is a serious infection caused by strains of bacteria called Corynebacterium diphtheriae that make toxin (poison). It can lead to difficulty breathing, heart failure, paralysis, and even death. CDC recommends vaccines for infants, children, teens, and adults to prevent diphtheria.

Is diphtheria antitoxin a vaccine?

Passive immunization via diphtheria antitoxin (DAT) of equine origin is highly efficacious in treating diphtheria though it is not a replacement for active immunization using diphtheria toxoid. Nevertheless, antitoxin is an important treatment of diphtheria and can reduce both morbidity and mortality.

What chemical is inactivate tetanus?

More recently, formaldehyde was used to inactivate pertussis toxin (PT), a component of the newly developed diphtheria-tetanus-acellular pertussis (DTaP) vaccine.

Is diphtheria vaccine good for life?

Studies estimate that diphtheria toxoid-containing vaccines protect nearly all people (95 in 100) for approximately 10 years. Protection decreases over time, so adults need to get a Td or Tdap booster shot every 10 years to stay protected.