Ophthalmologic Manifestations of Diphtheria Treatment & Management

  • Author: Andrew A Dahl, MD; Chief Editor: Hampton Roy Sr, MD   more...
 
Updated: May 7, 2010
 

Medical Care

Treatment includes supportive care and isolation, as well as penicillin or erythromycin, which are extremely effective against C diphtheriae.

Diphtheria antitoxin, a hyperimmune antiserum produced in horses, protects against neurotoxicity when given within the first or second day of the illness. Prevention is accomplished by immunization with formalin-inactivated toxin, usually given within the first year of life.

Additional treatment of primary ocular infection includes topical erythromycin ointment, frequent manual removal of infected membranes, and ocular lubrication. Topical steroids may be used to reduce inflammation if no corneal ulceration is present.

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Contributor Information and Disclosures
Author

Andrew A Dahl, MD  Director of Ophthalmology Teaching, Mid-Hudson Family Practice Institute, The Institute for Family Health; Assistant Professor of Surgery (Ophthalmology), New York College of Medicine

Andrew A Dahl, MD is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha, American Academy of Ophthalmology, American College of Surgeons, American Medical Association, American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery, and Wilderness Medical Society

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Specialty Editor Board

Richard W Allinson, MD  Associate Professor, Department of Ophthalmology, Texas A&M University Health Science Center; Senior Staff Ophthalmologist, Scott and White Clinic

Richard W Allinson, MD, is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Ophthalmology, American Medical Association, and Texas Medical Association

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Francisco Talavera, PharmD, PhD  Senior Pharmacy Editor, eMedicine

Disclosure: eMedicine Salary Employment

Louis E Probst, MD  Medical Director of Refractive Surgery, Chicago, Madison, Milwaukee, and Windsor Centers, TLC the Laser Eye Centers

Louis E Probst, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Ophthalmology, American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery, and International Society of Refractive Surgery

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Lance L Brown, OD, MD  Ophthalmologist, Affiliated With Freeman Hospital and St John's Hospital, Regional Eye Center, Joplin, Missouri

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Chief Editor

Hampton Roy Sr, MD  Associate Clinical Professor, Department of Ophthalmology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences

Hampton Roy Sr, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Ophthalmology, American College of Surgeons, and Pan-American Association of Ophthalmology

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

References

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  5. Dittmann S, Wharton M, Vitek C, et al. Successful control of epidemic diphtheria in the states of the Former Union of Soviet Socialist Republics: lessons learned. J Infect Dis. Feb 2000;181 Suppl 1:S10-22. [Medline].

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  8. [Best Evidence] Pichichero ME, Rennels MB, Edwards KM, et al. Combined tetanus, diphtheria, and 5-component pertussis vaccine for use in adolescents and adults. JAMA. Jun 22 2005;293(24):3003-11. [Medline].

  9. Rolleston JD. Diphtheric paralysis. Arch Pediatr. 1913;30:335-45.

  10. Rolleston JD, Ronaldson GW. Acute Infectious Diseases. 1940.

  11. Tharmaphornpilas P, Yoocharoan P, Prempree P, et al. Diphtheria in Thailand in the 1990s. J Infect Dis. Oct 15 2001;184(8):1035-40. [Medline].

  12. Walshe FMR. On the pathogenesis of diphtheric paralysis. Q J Med. 1918-19;12:14-37.

 
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