Waterhouse-Friderichsen syndrome is acute adrenal insufficiency caused by massive bilateral adrenal hemorrhage. The most common organism responsible for this syndrome is:

• A Streptococcus pneumoniae
• B Staphylococcus aureus
• C Neisseria meningitidis ✓
• D Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Explanation

Waterhouse-Friderichsen syndrome occurs classically in meningococcal septicemia (Neisseria meningitidis), where endotoxin-mediated disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) causes bilateral adrenal hemorrhagic necrosis, adrenal insufficiency, circulatory collapse, and purpuric skin rash. The syndrome can also rarely occur with other septicaemias (Pseudomonas, pneumococcal), but meningococcus is the prototypic and most common cause. Prompt recognition and empirical antibiotics are critical.

Reference: Robbins & Cotran Pathologic Basis of Disease, 10th ed.

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.