Question

Diphtheria is caused by

• A. Poisons released by living bacterial cells
• B. Poisons released by virus
• C. Poisons released by dead bacterial cells
• D. Excessive immune response by host's body

Answer 1

Answer: (A)

Poisons released by living bacterial cells

Diphtheria is an infection caused by the bacterium Corynebacterium diphtheriae which majorly affects the throat. Symptoms include a sore throat, fever, barking cough, a grey or white patches develop in the throat. Corynebacterium diphtheriae produces exotoxins (poisons) which cause necrosis of epithelial cells and forms greyish-white pseudomembrane. This membrane bleeds and leads to swelling and inflammation of the throat. So, the correct answer is 'Poisons released by living bacterial cells'.