Pseudomembrane formation
Type: Symptom
Definition
The development of a thick, tough, greyish coating over the tonsils and pharynx.
Clinical Details
The bacterial exotoxin brutally kills the superficial epithelial cells of the throat, triggering a massive outpouring of fibrinous exudate. This dead tissue, intermixed with white blood cells and bacteria, coagulates into a dense, leathery membrane that firmly adheres to the throat. Attempting to physically scrape this membrane off results in profuse, uncontrolled bleeding.