CRP and diphtheria: The results showed that the white blood cell count was significantly higher in the diphtheria group than control group (13.13 ± 4.79 × 109 vs. 8.00 ± 2.99 × 109, P = 0.013), the C-reactive protein level was significantly higher in the diphtheria group than control group (134.95 ± 107.69 mg/L vs. 4.75 ± 6.8 mg/L, P = 0.001).