Multiple species of bacteria can be associated with the condition: * Meningococcus is another term for the bacterial species Neisseria meningitidis; blood infection with said species usually underlies WFS. While many infectious agents can infect the adrenals, an acute, selective infection is usually meningococcus. * Pseudomonas aeruginosa can also cause WFS. * WFS can also be caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae infections, a common bacterial pathogen typically associated with meningitis in the adult and elderly population. * Mycobacterium tuberculosis could also cause WFS. Tubercular invasion of the adrenal glands could cause hemorrhagic destruction of the glands and cause mineralocorticoid deficiency. * Staphylococcus aureus has recently also been implicated in pediatric WFS. * It can also be associated with Haemophilus influenzae. Viruses may also be implicated in adrenal problems: * Cytomegalovirus can cause adrenal insufficiency, especially in the immunocompromised. * Ebola virus infection may also cause similar acute adrenal failure.
Waterhouse–Friderichsen syndrome
Woodhouse–Sakati syndrome
Michels Caskey syndrome
Johanson–Blizzard syndrome
Hashimoto's encephalopathy
Wellens' syndrome
Hemolytic–uremic syndrome
Primrose syndrome