Colorado State University student Christina Adame died when neisseria bacteria attacked her adrenal glands, leaving her body unable to fend off blood poisoning, the Larimer County Coroner’s Office said today.
The bacterial attack on a person’s adrenal glands is known as Waterhouse-Friderichsen syndrome and can cause death within hours, Louis Greek, deputy coroner said.
Greek said adrenal glands help the body fight off blood infection and assist in intravascular coagulation.
Because the bacteria targeted Adame’s adrenal glands, the glands became impaired and, as a result, blood poisoning or sepsis developed in her body, he said.
The full name given to the neisseria bacteria is neisseria meningitidis.
On Thursday the Larimer County Department of Health and Environment said it had confirmed Adame died of meningococcal disease.
Kim Myer-Lee,an epidemiologist with the health department, said meningococcal disease is caused by neisseria meningitidis.
But today in its release the coroner’s office said it was the “only accurate and authorized source to release cause and manner of death.”
Adame, 23, a sophomore studying international studies who worked at CSU’s Veterinary Teaching Hospital, died early Wednesday.
Greek said that 10 to 15 percent of people naturally have the bacteria in their body but the response is unique for each individual.
Greek said that how Adame contracted the bacteria is still unknown.
He said that many people who suffer sepsis or blood poisoning recover after receiving strong doses of antibiotics when they arrive at a hospital.
He said, however, that when the bacteria attack the adrenal glands, it is extremely difficult for the individual to fight the infection and death can occur within hours.
Greek emphasized that Adame did not die of meningitis, as was first widely reported.
Myer-Lee said that the health department has focused its attention on people who had contact with Adame making sure they are treated with antibiotics and suggesting they receive vaccinations.
The health department emphasized that the bacteria is difficult to spread. They are only passed from person to person by regular, close, prolonged household or intimate contact. They cannot be picked up from water supplies, swimming pools, buildings or factories, said the department.
Zachary Ratzlaff, 19, a CSU freshman who also was hospitalized after displaying symptoms similar to Adame’s, is in fair condition in the neurology unit at Poudre Valley Hospital. Tests found that his infection is likely viral and probably not linked to Adame’s sickness.
Howard Pankratz: 303-954-1939 or hpankratz@denverpost.com.
