Diphtheria Antitoxin - Administration, Precaution, Side Effects, and More

Introduction:

Diphtheria is a respiratory infection caused by Corynebacterium diphtheria, which is present on the mucous membrane lining involving the nose and throat, forming a distinguishable gray thick membrane. Diphtheria antitoxin was developed in response to treat diphtheria as it is not efficiently treated with medications. It is made by introducing microorganisms into a suitable medium for growth in a horse with a higher dose of diphtheria bacteria. The horse produces antibodies against the toxin and is separated from the horse’s blood. Then the patient is injected with Diphtheria antitoxin.

What Is Diphtheria?

Diphtheria is an infection of the throat and nose. It can be treated with medication. However, it can damage the lungs, heart, and kidneys. Diphtheria can be deadly in children. It is caused by Corynebacterium diphtheria. Diptheria is categorized into two types: respiratory and cutaneous.

Corynebacterium Diphtheria:

Corynebacterium diphtheria is an aerobic gram-positive bacillus that produces toxins that spread from one person to another through respiratory droplets like sneezing or coughing. Corynebacterium diphtheria is responsible for causing Diphtheria in humans. The disease commonly occurs in underdeveloped and tropical regions. It is usually found in the skin of the upper respiratory and gastrointestinal tracts. It is sweet in smell. Species of Corynebacterium diphtheria are commonly found in water, soil, plant, and food products. It is highly potentially life-threatening and highly contagious.

What Are the Symptoms of Diphtheria?

The symptoms of Diphtheria are as follows:

• Hoarseness or sore throat.

• A thick gray membrane covers the tonsil and throat.

• Enlarged lymph nodes in the neck.

• Fever.

• Chills.

• Nasal discharge.

• Difficulty breathing.

• Tiredness.

What Is the Cause of Diphtheria?

Diphtheria is caused by the bacterium named Corynebacterium diphtheria. It multiplies near or on the surface of the skin or throat. It spreads through:

1. Airborne Droplets: When an infected person coughs or sneezes mist of contaminated droplets is released into the air, which nearby people can inhale.

2. Contaminated Household: Sometimes, people get infected with diphtheria while handling things of an infected person.

What Are Complications of Diphtheria?

The complications of diphtheria are:

• Heart Damage: Diphtheria toxins can spread through the blood and damage the body's tissues. It causes damage to the muscles of the heart that causes inflammation of the heart muscle called myocarditis. In the worst conditions, myocarditis can lead to heart failure or sudden death.

• Nerve Damage: It is caused by diphtheria toxins that may cause difficulty swallowing. The nerve can cause damage to the leg and arm, leading to body weakness.

• Breathing Problem: The toxins produced by diphtheria damage the nose and throat. Diphtheria-causing toxins produce a tough gray membrane that causes obstruction in breathing.

What Is Diphtheria Antitoxin?

Diphtheria antitoxin is a medication that consists of antibodies used in the treatment of Diphtheria. It is administered using an injection into the vein or muscle. It was developed in the late 1800s.

What Are the Side-Effects of Diphtheria Antitoxin?

The side effects of diphtheria antitoxin are as follows:

• Serum sickness (a sudden reaction of the protein in response to non-human derived serum).

• Allergic reactions.

• Chills.

• Difficulty in swallowing and breathing.

• Muscle ache.

• Feeling of discomfort.

• Hives.

• Inflammation of joints.

• A rapid rise in body temperature.

• Rash.

• Reddening of the skin.

• Swelling of the face, eyes, or inside of the nose.

• Swollen lymph glands.

• Unusual weakness or tiredness.

• Wheezing (refers to a high-pitched sound made while breathing).

• Itching.

What Is Diphtheria Antitoxin Made Of?

Diphtheria antitoxin is made up of the plasma blood of horses that are immunized against Diphtheria toxins. It neutralizes the toxins produced by Corynebacterium diphtheria.

How Was Diphtheria Antitoxin Developed?

• Diphtheria antitoxin was developed by scientists who harnessed the immune system of selected animals to produce antitoxin serums to be used as medicine for the treatment of diphtheria.

• Scientists firstly grew Diphtheria-causing bacteria in the laboratory and then harvested its toxin.

• In the second step, scientists injected the horse with diphtheria toxin. Diphtheria antitoxins were produced as an immune response of animal blood.

• Then the blood was collected from the horse, and the antitoxin-rich serum was separated.

• The antitoxin serum is purified and used as medicine for the treatment of diphtheria.

How to Administer Diphtheria Antitoxin?

• The most preferred route of administration of diphtheria antitoxin is the intravenous (IV) route.

• Diphtheria antitoxin is mixed in 250 to 500 mL of normal saline and is administered over two to four hours daily.

• Diphtheria antitoxin can be administered through the intramuscular (IM) route in mild to moderate cases of diphtheria.

• Antitoxin should always be warmed in the range of 32 to 34 degrees Centigrade before injecting.

• Before administering the diphtheria antitoxin, it is crucial to perform a sensitivity test to detect the chances of any allergic reactions.

What Are Precautions Used Before Administration Diphtheria Antitoxin?

• The vial used for administration should be shaken well before withdrawing.

• The content of the vial should not be frozen.

• The constituents of the vial should be protected from bright light.

• For each individual separate sterile injections should be used.

• A sensitivity test should always be performed before administering diphtheria antitoxin.

How Is Diphtheria Antitoxin Stored?

Diphtheria antitoxin should be stored in the dark at two to eight degrees Centigrade and should not be frozen in any case.

When Does Diphtheria Antitoxin Expire?

Diphtheria antitoxin expires after 24 months of the manufacturing date.

In Which Country Diphtheria Antitoxin Not Used?

The food and drug industry has not been given a license for use in the United States.

Conclusion:

Diphtheria is a deadly and infectious disease that affects the nose and throat. It is highly contagious and can be life-threatening for children. The patient contracts this infection through coughing and sneezing or by any contact with the infected person. In order to treat it, diphtheria antitoxin is used that is derived from horse serum and activates the diphtheria toxin. It is made up of a combination of antibodies used for the treatment of diphtheria. Also, it is associated with several side effects after administration. Diphtheria antitoxins should be administered only under the supervision of a medical physician.