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Diphtheria
Corynebacterium diphtheriae

With a peak of over 200,000 cases in 1921, this bacterial infection is now a thing of the past in the United States.

Chapter 1
Diphtheria in History

Not much was known about diphtheria until it was finally isolated and seen under a microscope.

1613
Spanish Epidemic

1735
The Plague Among Children

1883
Bacterium Identified

1888
Roux and Yersin Investigate the Diphtheria Bacterium

Chapter 2
First Attempts at Diphtheria Vaccine

If a vaccine was not possible, perhaps an antitoxin might help?

1890
Antitoxin and Serum Therapy

1901
Antitoxin Contamination

1905
Serum Sickness Described

1906
Lederle Produces Antitoxin

Chapter 3
A Diphtheria Vaccine Breakthrough

Once the bacterium was understood better, a vaccine was not far behind.

1914
Park's Breakthrough

1921
Park's Diphtheria Campaign

1943
War Breeds Outbreaks

1954
Adult Immunization Changed

Chapter 4
The Modern Diphtheria Vaccine

With a modern vaccine formulation, diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis are brought under control in different countries.

1974
WHO Advocates DTP

1994
Diphtheria in the Russian Federation