Adrenal infections

• Published in: International journal of infectious diseases Vol. 10; no. 5; pp. 343 - 353
• Main Authors: Paolo, William F., Nosanchuk, Joshua D.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Amsterdam Elsevier Ltd 01.09.2006; Elsevier; International Society for Infectious Diseases. Published by Elsevier Ltd
• Subjects: Adrenal gland; Adrenal Gland Diseases - microbiology; Adrenal Gland Diseases - parasitology; Adrenal Gland Diseases - pathology; Adrenal Gland Diseases - virology; Adrenal infection; Adrenal insufficiency; Adrenalitis; Adrenals. Adrenal axis. Renin-angiotensin system (diseases); Biological and medical sciences; Endocrinopathies; Humans; Infectious diseases; Medical sciences; Non tumoral diseases. Target tissue resistance. Benign neoplasms; Adrenalitis; Adrenal insufficiency; Adrenal gland; Adrenal infection; Endocrinopathy; Infection; Adrenal gland diseases
• ISSN: 1201-9712; 1878-3511
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijid.2005.08.001

Adrenal infections are an important but under-recognized clinical entity. The adrenal gland can be infected by a myriad of pathogens including fungi, viruses, parasites, and bacteria. Infection can directly or indirectly cause tissue damage and alteration in endocrine function. Direct damage occurs via microbial replication and local production of toxic compounds, such as endotoxins. Indirect damage results from alterations in the regulation of a host's immunologic and endocrine mediators in response to damage by a microbe at a distant site. Variations in pathogen tropism, adrenal anatomy, and host immune integrity contribute to the progression of active disease and discernable adrenal dysfunction. Early recognition and intervention in the case of adrenal infection can significantly improve outcome, demonstrating the need for increased clinical suspicion in the appropriate clinical setting.