NEW LOWER PRICES - ACT FAST
Physician Assistant (PA)
/
Courses
/
Microbiology
/
Gram Positive Bacilli
/
Corynebacterium diphtheriae

Master Corynebacterium diphtheriae with Picmonic for Physician Assistant

With Picmonic, facts become pictures. We've taken what the science shows - image mnemonics work - but we've boosted the effectiveness by building and associating memorable characters, interesting audio stories, and built-in quizzing.

DOWNLOAD PDF
Corynebacterium diphtheriae

Corynebacterium diphtheriae

Corn-dip-bacteria
Picmonic
Corynebacterium diphtheriae is a gram positive bacilli that causes the disease diphtheria, which is an upper respiratory tract illness characterized by pseudomembranous pharyngitis and lymphadenopathy. Later stages of disease can also include myocarditis and polyneuritis. Diphtheria is spread by direct contact or breathing of aerosolized secretions and produces Diphtheria exotoxin, which alters protein function in the host via ADP ribosylation of elongation factor 2 (EF2). The diphtheria toxin gene is encoded by a beta prophage that is integrated into the bacterial chromosome via lysogenization. The organism is cultured on a selective medium called tellurite agar and tends to lie parallel to one another or at acute angles resembling Chinese letters. They may also contain inclusion bodies known as metachromatic granules that stain red while the rest of the bacillus stains blue when stained with an aniline dye like methylene blue. Diphtheria has largely been eradicated in industrialized nations via widespread vaccination with the diphtheria pertussis tetanus vaccine.
14 KEY FACTS
CHARACTERISTICS
Gram-Positive
Graham-cracker Positive-angel

This organism stains positive on gram stain due to thick a peptidoglycan layer which absorbs crystal violet.

Bacillus
Rod

This bacteria is rod shaped.

Exotoxin
Bursting-toxic-balloon

An exotoxin is classified as a toxin that is released by bacteria into the environment. Corynebacterium diphtheriae produces Diphtheria exotoxin, which alters protein function in the host via ADP ribosylation of elongation factor 2.

ADP Ribosylation of Elongation Factor 2
ADP Red-bull with elongating elf wearing (2) Tutus

Corynebacterium diphtheriae uses the virulence factor diphtheria toxin to ADP ribosylate elongation factor 2 in host cells, similar to the mechanism of pseudomonas exotoxin A. Defective elongation factor 2 causes the inability of the host cell to synthesize proteins and leads to necrosis.

Beta Prophage
Beta-fish propeller

A prophage is a viral genome that is inserted and integrated into the circular bacterial DNA chromosome. The gene containing Diphtheria toxin is located on the DNA of a beta prophage. C. diphtheriae is infected by the beta prophage thus acquiring the ability to produce the toxin and become pathogenic.

Lysogeny
Lasso-jeans

Lysogenization is a process in which the DNA of a temperate bacteriophage is incorporated into the structure of a bacterial DNA where it remains in a latent form. C. diphtheriae acquires the ability to produce diphtheria toxin via lysogenization.

Tellurite Agar
Telephone-write

Tellurite agar is a specific medium used to grow Corynebacterium diphtheriae.

Chinese Letters
Chinese Characters

The organism tends to lie parallel to one another or at acute angles resembling Chinese letters and can help with bacterial identification.

Metachromatic Blue Red Granules
Metal-chrome Blue Red Balls

They may also contain inclusion bodies known as metachromatic granules that stain red while the rest of the bacillus stains blue when stained with an aniline dye like methylene blue.

Aniline Stains Deeply Methylene Blue
Aliens stained blue

They may also contain inclusion bodies known as metachromatic granules that stain red while the rest of the bacillus stains blue when stained with an aniline dye like methylene blue.

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS
Pseudomembranous Pharyngitis
Sumo-man-bra Pharaoh

Pseudomembranous pharyngitis is characterized by an adherent membrane on the pharynx caused by cell necrosis due to Diphtheria toxin.

Lymphadenopathy
Lymph-lime-add (+)

Lymphadenopathy is enlargement of lymph nodes and is a common symptom of diphtheria.

Myocarditis
Mayo-heart-card

Myocarditis is an inflammation of the myocardium often caused by an infection of the heart. Myocarditis can be a late stage complication of diphtheria and occurs in about 20% of cases.

Polyneuritis
Poly-with-neuron-legs

Polyneuritis refers to damage of the nerves of the peripheral nervous system in more than one location. This can be a late stage complication of diphtheria and is seen in about 10% of cases.

DOWNLOAD PDF

Recommended Picmonics

picmonic thumbnail
Clostridioides difficile (Clostridium difficile)
picmonic thumbnail
Clostridium difficile (Clostridioides difficile) Treatments
picmonic thumbnail
Clostridium botulinum
picmonic thumbnail
Clostridium tetani
picmonic thumbnail
Listeria Monocytogenes Characteristics

Take the Corynebacterium diphtheriae Quiz

Picmonic's rapid review multiple-choice quiz allows you to assess your knowledge.

It's worth every penny

Our Story Mnemonics Increase Mastery and Retention

Memorize facts with phonetic mnemonics

Unforgettable characters with concise but impactful videos (2-4 min each)

Memorize facts with phonetic mnemonics

Ace Your Physician Assistant (PA) Classes & Exams with Picmonic:

Over 1,960,000 students use Picmonic’s picture mnemonics to improve knowledge, retention, and exam performance.

Choose the #1 Physician Assistant (PA) student study app.

Picmonic for Physician Assistant (PA) covers information that is relevant to your entire Physician Assistant (PA) education. Whether you’re studying for your classes or getting ready to conquer the PANCE® or PANRE®, we’re here to help.

Works better than traditional Physician Assistant (PA) flashcards.

Research shows that students who use Picmonic see a 331% improvement in memory retention and a 50% improvement in test scores.