Book Trailer for Lucy in the Sky by Anonymous.
Diphtheria is a highly contagious and potentially life-threatening bacterial disease caused by Corynebacterium diphtheriae. There are two types of diphtheria: respiratory and cutaneous. Respiratory diphtheria involves the nose, throat and tonsils, and cutaneous diphtheria involves the skin.
Causes and Transmission. 1  Diphtheria is an infection caused by the bacterium Corynebacterium diphtheriae. 2  Diphtheria is spread (transmitted) from person to person, usually through respiratory droplets, like from coughing or sneezing.