infectious diseases
Diphtheria
Diphtheria toxin
Diphtheria strains infected by a beta-phage, which carries a toxin-encoding gene, produce a potent toxin. This toxin first causes inflammation and necrosis of local tissues and then can damage the heart, nerves, and sometimes the kidneys. Nontoxigenic strains ofC. diphtheriaecan also cause nasopharyngeal infection and sometimes systemic disease (eg, endocarditis, septic arthritis). 