Diphtheria is a highly contagious infection that can affect the nose and throat, and sometimes the skin. If left untreated it can prove fatal. In the UK and other high-income countries, babies are vaccinated against infection. However, in low- and middle-income countries, the disease can still cause sporadic infections or outbreaks in unvaccinated and partially-vaccinated communities.
The number of diphtheria cases reported globally has being increasing gradually. In 2018, there were 16,651 reported cases, more than double the yearly average for 1996-2017 (8,105 cases).
Diphtheria is primarily caused by the bacterium Corynebacterium diphtheriae and is mainly spread by coughs and sneezes, or through close contact with someone who is infected. In most cases, the bacteria cause acute infections, driven by the diphtheria toxin – the key target of the vaccine. However, non-toxigenic C. diphtheria can also cause disease, often in the form of systemic infections.
By analysing the genomes of 61 bacteria isolated from patients and combining these with 441 publicly available genomes, the researchers were able to build a phylogenetic tree – a genetic ‘family tree’ – to see how the infections are related and understand how they spread. They also used this information to assess the presence of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) genes and assess toxin variation.
The researchers found clusters to genetically-similar bacteria isolated from multiple continents, most commonly Asia and Europe. This indicates that C. diphtheriae has been established in the human population for at least over a century, spreading across the globe as populations migrated.
The main disease-causing component of C. diphtheriae is the diphtheria toxin, which is encoded by the tox gene. It is this component that is targeted by vaccines. In total, the researchers found 18 different variants of the tox gene, of which several had the potential to change the structure of the toxin.
Dr Ankur Mutreja from CITIID, who led the study, said: “It’s more important than ever that we understand how diphtheria is evolving and spreading. Genome sequencing gives us a powerful tool for observing this in real time, allowing public health agencies to take action before it’s too late.
“We mustn’t take our eye off the ball with diphtheria, otherwise we risk it becoming a major global threat again, potentially in a modified, better adapted, form.“
2 comments:
Until all this, here a health threat, there a health threat, threat, threat everywhere, gets situated, it's my opinion, a very great reason to stop, just take a deep breathe, think clearer, and while doing so, lock down borders in USA!
Not knowing what is streaming across our borders brings much of anything not dealt with within other countries! Brought here unknowingly when illegals come flooding here unchecked, not vetted, causes much anxiety, IMO!!
Let us clean up our own backyard, figure out how Americans need to deal with USA Government concerns first, economy loosen from grips of Covid exaggerated BS to control those whom are bounded by Constitutional Freedoms, IMO! Next we need look at what, why, we are at the place, too much, way too much control is coming from Government that has lost it's way, we are to only have them serve us, not dictate to us, period! It's way more important than Covid nonsense to straighten out Government, borders, sell-out traitor's,
giving up rights for non-proven fear induced hysteria, than letting in more unknown variables; First things first, oust those against our Constitutional Laws, our lawlessness within Government are American's first grave concern...that is plenty to sort out. Keep rest of diseases yonder, let them figure out their issues too, IMO!
7 days in March - God have mercy
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