Gram-positive Organisms (3) Diphtheria Corynebacterium diphtheriae Rod shaped Exotoxin causes damage to heart and nerves Symptoms include pseudomembranous pharyngitis (grayish-white membrane) with lymphadenopathy, myocarditis, and arrhythmias Lab diagnosis based on gram ⊕ rods with metachromatic (blue and red) granules and ⊕ Elek test for toxin Toxoid vaccine prevents diphtheria
Marc Imhotep Cray, M.D.