RT Book, Section A1 Jauch, Edward C. A1 Hall, Gregory A1 Knoop, Kevin J. A2 Knoop, Kevin J. A2 Stack, Lawrence B. A2 Storrow, Alan B. A2 Thurman, R. Jason SR Print(0) ID 1181040159 T1 Diphtheria T2 The Atlas of Emergency Medicine, 5e YR 2021 FD 2021 PB McGraw-Hill PP New York, NY SN 9781260134940 LK accessmedicine.mhmedical.com/content.aspx?aid=1181040159 RD 2024/03/28 AB Diphtheria is a rare but highly contagious disease caused by the exotoxin-producing bacterium C diphtheriae. It is transmitted either by direct contact or through respiratory aerosolization. Many adults are now susceptible to diphtheria because their vaccine-induced immunity decreased over time or owing to decreased opportunity for naturally acquired immunity.