Guidance

Diphtheria: laboratory guidelines for diagnosis

Laboratory guidelines for the diagnosis of infections caused by Corynebacterium diphtheriae and C. ulcerans.

• From: UK Health Security Agency
• Published: 30 December 1999
• Last updated: 24 May 2022 — See all updates

Documents

WHO laboratory manual for the diagnosis of diphtheria and other related infections

https://apps.who.int/iris/handle/10665/352275

Details

This latest World Health Organization (WHO) laboratory manual incorporates a number of developments and revisions since the previous one (1994) including:

• case definitions and surveillance strategies
• atypical and unusual manifestations of diphtheria
• novel reservoirs, for example companion animals as a source of Corynebacterium ulcerans
• new laboratory methodologies including for diagnostics, molecular epidemiology and serological immunity

The manual is provided for global use with the intention of fulfilling the needs of all laboratories including those with minimal resources.

Published 30 December 1999
Last updated 24 May 2022 + show all updates

1. 24 May 2022

   Added link to the WHO laboratory manual.

2. 30 December 1999

   First published.