Diphtheria toxin causes tissue necrosis and pseudomembrane formation in the pharynx by which mechanism?
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Correct answer: ADP-ribosylation of Elongation Factor-2 (EF-2)
Corynebacterium diphtheriae produces an exotoxin that inhibits protein synthesis by ADP-ribosylating EF-2. This leads to cell death and the formation of a grey-white, tough pseudomembrane that can obstruct the airway.
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