The association between tuberculosis and diphtheria.
Epidemiol Infect
; 146(8): 940-945, 2018 06.
Article
en En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-29665871
ABSTRACT
This research investigates the long-forgotten relationship between diphtheria and tuberculosis. Historical medical reports from the late 19th century are reviewed followed by a statistical regression analysis of the relationship between the two diseases in the early 20th century. Historical medical reports show a consistent association between diphtheria and tuberculosis that can increase the likelihood and severity of either disease in a co-infection. The statistical analysis uses historical weekly public health data on reported cases in five American cities over a period of several years, finding a modest but statistically significant relationship between the two diseases. No current medical theory explains the association between diphtheria and tuberculosis. Alternative explanations are explored with a focus on how the diseases assimilate iron. In a co-infection, the effectiveness of tuberculosis at assimilating extracellular iron may lead to increased production of diphtheria toxin, worsening that disease, which may, in turn, exacerbate tuberculosis. Iron-dependent repressor genes connect both diseases.
Palabras clave
Texto completo:
1
Colección:
01-internacional
Base de datos:
MEDLINE
Asunto principal:
Tuberculosis
/
Difteria
Tipo de estudio:
Incidence_studies
/
Prognostic_studies
/
Risk_factors_studies
País/Región como asunto:
America do norte
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Epidemiol Infect
Asunto de la revista:
DOENCAS TRANSMISSIVEIS
/
EPIDEMIOLOGIA
Año:
2018
Tipo del documento:
Article
País de afiliación:
Estados Unidos