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. 1965 Jan 31;121(2):247–260. doi: 10.1084/jem.121.2.247

ENDOTOXEMIA AND ADRENAL HEMORRHAGE

A MECHANISM FOR THE WATERHOUSE-FRIDERICHSEN SYNDROME

Jack Levin 1, Leighton E Cluff 1
PMCID: PMC2137979  PMID: 14264270

Abstract

An experimental model that produces adrenal cortical hemorrhage with endotoxin has been described. When stimulated by thorotrast, endotoxin, or its tropic hormone (ACTH), the adrenal cortex is susceptible to the development of a hemorrhagic reaction during endotoxemia. The hemorrhagic reaction resembles that described in the Waterhouse-Friderichsen syndrome. A pathophysiologic mechanism for the occurrence of adrenal hemorrhage occurring during acute sepsis is presented. Increased metabolic activity associated with the production of corticosteroids seems to make the adrenal cortex susceptible to endotoxin-induced hemorrhage. Adrenal hemorrhage observed during sepsis, as in the Waterhouse-Friderichsen syndrome, may be attributable to endotoxemia occurring during or shortly after stimulation of the adrenal cortex by infection. Significant differences between adrenal cortical hemorrhage and the Shwartzman phenomenon are described.

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Selected References

These references are in PubMed. This may not be the complete list of references from this article.

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