Infectious Causes of Adrenal Insufficiency

Anatomical distribution of vessels to the adrenal makes the gland prone to hemorrhage in the setting of ↑ venous pressure. Local production of toxins, tissue invasion and inflammation are the process behind the adrenal gland destruction.

Immunocompromised patients are at greatest risk for either primary adrenal infection or disseminated microbial disease.

Etiology:

 • Bacterial: Mycobacterium Tuberculosis, Neisseria meningitidis (Waterhouse-Friderichsen syndrome), MAC, Streptococcus, Staphylococcus aureus, Capnocytophaga canimorsus

 • Virus: HIV (Predisposing factor), Cytomegalovirus, Epstein-Barr virus, Herpes simplex virus, Echovirus, Ebola, SARS-COV

 • Fungi: Histoplasma capsulatum, Cryptococcus neoformans, Blastomyces dermatitidis, Pneumocystis Jiroveci

 • Parasites: Microsporidia, Trypanosoma, Leishmania, Echinococcus



By @TheIDtrivia



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