白喉是由白喉杆菌外毒素引起的急性传染病。发病和致死原因主要是由于细菌毒素在上呼吸道形成假膜引起呼吸阻塞或损伤心肌及其它组织造成的。从历史上看,很多国家白喉流行主要是感染儿童。在白喉流行的国家此病主要是散发或小范围爆发。虽然C型白喉杆菌感染常发生亚临床症状或 Diphtheria is an acute infectious disease caused by diphtheria exotoxin. The main cause of morbidity and mortality is the bacterial toxins in the upper respiratory tract caused by the formation of pseudomembranous obstruction or damage caused by myocardial and other tissues. Historically, the prevalence of diphtheria in many countries has been mainly children. In countries where diphtheria is endemic, the disease is predominantly sporadic or small-scale. Although C-type diphtheria bacteria often sub-clinical symptoms of infection or