TY - CHAP M1 - Book, Section TI - Diphtheria A1 - Abreo, Andrew A1 - Wiedermann, Bernhard L. A2 - Kline, Mark W. PY - 2018 T2 - Rudolph's Pediatrics, 23e AB - Diphtheria is an acute infection caused by Corynebacterium diphtheriae. The incidence of diphtheria is inversely related to the percentage of immune individuals in an area, and it remains endemic in countries without effective immunization programs. The incidence of diphtheria in the United States has declined dramatically since aggressive immunization efforts were begun in 1980. Concurrently, diphtheria shifted from a disease of children to a disease of adults with waning immunity. The potential for outbreaks continues, however, if segments of a community are not immunized. SN - PB - McGraw-Hill Education CY - New York, NY Y2 - 2024/04/18 UR - accesspediatrics.mhmedical.com/content.aspx?aid=1182935685 ER -