Clinical and Epidemiological Aspects of Diphtheria: A Systematic Review and Pooled Analysis

Background Diphtheria, once a major cause of childhood morbidity and mortality, all but disappeared following introduction of diphtheria vaccine. Recent outbreaks highlight the risk diphtheria poses when civil unrest interrupts vaccination and healthcare access. Lack of interest over the last century resulted in knowledge gaps about diphtheria’s epidemiology, transmission, and control. Methods We conducted 9 distinct systematic reviews on PubMed...