In a completely and adequately immunized child against Diphtheria, the throat swab was collected. It showed the presence ofCorynaebacterium diphtheriae like organisms on Albe staining. These orgainisms can have one of the following propeies on fuher laboratory processing -
Ans. is 'a' i.e., It can grow on Potassium tellurite medium This child is a carrier of Diptheria. Remember, adequate immunization does not prevent the carrier state because the vaccine is active against the toxin (not against the organism). Tellurite medium is paicularly impoant in the isolation of diptheria bacilli from convalescent, contacts and carriers as in these cases they may be out numbered by the other bacteria. The other three options are about the virulence testing of the isolated bacilli. (see above explanation) These tests will be positive only if the isolated diphtheria like organism is virulent. Otherwise all of them will be negative.
It can grow on Potassium tellurite medium
It would show a positive Elek's gel precipitation test
It can be pathogenic to experimental guinea pigs
It can produce cytotoxicity in tissue cultures