title: [Detection by molecular biology techniques of diphtheria toxin production in corynebacteria].
abstract: The ability to secrete a potent protein-toxin called diphtheria toxin (DT) is of outstanding importance for the outcome of diphtheria epidemics. Rapid molecular-biological screening methods are shown that can improve the differentiation between toxinogenic and non-toxinogenic Corynebacterium diphtheriae strains. The recently reported infection with an endemic, putative toxinogenic Corynebacterium diphtheriae strain in Lower Saxony is discussed.
authors.affiliation: Institut für Hygiene und Mikrobiologie, Universität Würzburg.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Weig
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Harmsen
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Heesemann
mesh_terms: D003353:Corynebacterium diphtheriae / Q000235:genetics*; D004165:Diphtheria / Q000382:microbiology*; D004167:Diphtheria Toxin / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D008967:Molecular Biology; D017385:Sequence Homology
chemical_list: D004167:Diphtheria Toxin
vernacular_title: Molekularbiologischer Nachweis der Diphtherie-Toxinproduktion bei Corynebakterien.