[Characteristics of the morphofunctional state of the adrenals in generalized forms of meningococcal infection].

Changes in the cortical and medullar substances of the adrenals were found to develop in generalized forms of meningococcal infection, the picture of the adrenal involvement changing in relation to the clinical form of infection. In meningococcemia, the leading findings are disturbed circulation and marked affection of the vessel walls in the microcirculatory bed. In meningitis, with spasm of arterioles and small arteries and involvement of the large arteries most important are dystrophic changes in the adrenal parenchyma which depend upon the duration of the disease. Constant finding of lipids, cholesteron and RNA in cells of the extended cortex and RNA, noradrenaline and adrenaline in chromaffin cells, as well as cell proliferation indicate the functional activity and high potentials of the adrenals.