Hostname: page-component-586b7cd67f-tf8b9 Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-28T16:06:45.698Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

The role of cutaneous diphtheria in the acquisition of immunity

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  15 May 2009

P. D. P. Gunatillake
Affiliation:
Department of Bacteriology and Virology, University of Manchester
G. Taylor
Affiliation:
Department of Bacteriology and Virology, University of Manchester
Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Summary

Core share and HTML view are not available for this content. However, as you have access to this content, a full PDF is available via the ‘Save PDF’ action button.

A field survey conducted amongst children in a semi-rural area of Ceylon has revealed a high rate of Schick negative conversion early in life. A high carrier rate of C. diphtheriae in cutaneous ulcers which probably accounts for this early Schick conversion has been detected. The role of cutaneous diphtheria and that of non-toxigenic organisms in the acquisition of natural immunity to the disease is discussed.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1968

References

REFERENCES

Anderson, P. S. & Cowles, P. B. (1958). Effect of antiphage serum on the virulence of Corynebacterium diphtheriae. J. Bact. 76, 272.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Benstead, H. J. (1936). Limited outbreak of diphtheria exhibiting both cutaneous and faucial lesions. Jl. R. Army med. Cps. 67, 295.Google Scholar
Christensen, W. B. (1946). Urea decomposition as a means of differentiating Proteus and Paracolon cultures from each other and from Salmonella and Shigella types. J. Bact. 52, 461.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Cook, G. T. (1950). Plate test for nitrate reduction. J. clin. Path. 3, 359.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Craig, C. M. (1919). A study of the aetiology of the ‘desert’, ‘septic’, or Veldt sore amongst European troops. Lancet ii, 478.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Cruickshank, R. (1965 a). Medical microbiology, 11th ed., p. 751. London: E. and S. Livingstone Ltd.Google Scholar
Cruickshank, R. (1965 b). Medical microbiology, 11th ed., p. 181. London: E. and S. Livingstone Ltd.Google Scholar
Das, A. N. (1934). Antitoxic immunity to diphtheria among a group of Indians in Nanital District, U.P., India. Indian med. Gaz. 69, 261.Google Scholar
Elek, S. D. (1948). The recognition of toxicogenic bacterial strains in vitro. Br. med. J. i, 493.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Frobisher, M. & Parsons, E. I. (1943). Resistance against toxigenic Corynebacterium diphtheriae in rabbits following injections of non-toxigenic diphtheria bacilli. Am. J. Hyg. 37, 53.Google Scholar
Gulasekeran, J., Gunaratna, V. T. H. & Somasunderan, S. J. (1956). Some epidemiological studies on diphtheria. Ceylon med. J. 2, 173.Google Scholar
Liebow, A. A., Maclean, P. D., Bumstead, J. H. & Welt, L. G. (1946). Tropical ulcers and cutaneous diphtheria. Archs intern. Med. 78, 255.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Marples, M. J. & Bacon, D. F. (1956). Some observations on the distribution of Corynebacterium diphtheriae in Western Samoa. Trans. R. Soc. trop. Med. Hyg. 50, 72.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Okell, C. C. (1929). The relationship of virulent to avirulent diphtheria bacilli. J. Hyg., Camb. 29, 309.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Paricha, C. L., Banerjee, K. & Wordsworth, R. F. (1939). Schick test amongst a group of Indians and Anglo-Indians in Calcutta. Indian med. Gaz. 74, 395.Google Scholar
Robinson, P. & Lalitha, Bai M. (1964). A Schick test survey in Bangalore. J. trop Pediat. Sept. 1964, p. 39.Google Scholar