Fatal Waterhouse-Friderichsen syndrome due to Ewingella americana infection.

Abstract

A fatal case of Waterhouse-Friderichsen syndrome resulting from infection in a previously healthy 74-year-old woman is reported. The patient died suddenly within 14 hours after presentation. The diagnosis of Waterhouse-Friderichsen syndrome as the cause of death was established post mortem based on autopsy findings, microscopic examination, measurement of serum procalcitonin concentration (113 ng/ml), and outcome of postmortem bacteriologic cultures that grew in heart and spleen blood samples. Since the introduction of as a new group in the family in 1983, more recent case studies have established its clinical significance and pathogenic potential to cause severe, life-threatening bacteremia and sepsis. is a rare pathogen that should be added to the list of unusual bacteria causing Waterhouse-Friderichsen syndrome.

• Authors: Michael Tsokos
• Journal: The American journal of forensic medicine and pathology (Am J Forensic Med Pathol) Vol. 24 Issue 1 Pg. 41-4 (Mar 2003) ISSN: 0195-7910 [Print] United States
• PMID: 12604997 (Publication Type: Case Reports, Journal Article)

Chemical References

• CALCA protein, human
• Protein Precursors
• Calcitonin
• Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide

Topics

• Aged
• Calcitonin (blood)
• Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide
• Enterobacteriaceae (isolation & purification)
• Enterobacteriaceae Infections (diagnosis, microbiology)
• Fatal Outcome
• Female
• Heart (microbiology)
• Humans
• Protein Precursors (blood)
• Spleen (microbiology)
• Waterhouse-Friderichsen Syndrome (diagnosis, microbiology)