Adrenal hemorrhage associated with Klebsiella oxytoca bacteremia

Intern Med. 1998 Nov;37(11):990-4. doi: 10.2169/internalmedicine.37.990.

Abstract

Septic adrenal hemorrhage is classically caused by meningococcemia. An autopsied case is presented of a 45-year-old man with adrenal hemorrhage due to Klebsiella oxytoca bacteremia following placement of a central venous catheter. He died 5 hours after developing disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC). The bacterial entry site may have been the catheter. The cause of death was considered to be pulmonary edema due to bacteremia rather than adrenal insufficiency due to hemorrhage. Septic adrenal hemorrhage should be recognized as a subtype of sepsis rather than adrenal insufficiency, and may be caused in conditions of severe sepsis with DIC, independent of the microorganic variety.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adrenal Gland Diseases / microbiology*
  • Adrenal Gland Diseases / pathology
  • Bacteremia / microbiology*
  • Bacteremia / pathology
  • Catheterization, Central Venous / adverse effects
  • Fatal Outcome
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Hemorrhage / microbiology*
  • Hemorrhage / pathology
  • Humans
  • Klebsiella / isolation & purification*
  • Klebsiella Infections / microbiology*
  • Klebsiella Infections / pathology
  • Male
  • Middle Aged