Causes Of Adrenal Insufficiency

Fungal Infection

In many ways, fungal infections of the adrenal glands are similar to other bacterial or viral infections. The most common form of adrenal fungal affliction, Paracoccidioides brasiliensis, may affect gland function at differing rates based on the health and immune response of the individual infected. Specifically, this dimorphic fungus may invade the adrenal tissue directly or may be introduced into the glands through biochemical modulators or other secondary mediators in the bloodstream. In either case, the fungus can cause the production of endotoxins, which may lead to damage and hemorrhaging within the tissue. This hemorrhaging, in turn, may lead to a condition known as Waterhouse-Friderichsen syndrome, a condition characterized by shock and acute adrenal insufficiency.

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Cytomegalovirus

Similar to both tuberculosis or fungal infections, cytomegalovirus (CMV) is a common strain of the herpes virus that can, in certain circumstances, infect the adrenal glands. Many of the individuals infected with cytomegalovirus never know it, as the virus often has no symptoms and may lay dormant for years. However, this virus can cause serious, if not fatal, complications during pregnancy or for those with weakened immune systems. Particularly prevalent in those who have HIV or AIDS, the CMV virus can attack the adrenal cortex, or outer layer, of the adrenal glands. Because immunocompromised individuals have few defenses against such viral attacks, cytomegalovirus can spread quickly and easily, causing inflammation and cellular damage that can impact essential adrenal functions.

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