Waterhouse-Friderichsen syndrome caused by a DF-2 bacterium in a splenectomised patient

A case of Waterhouse-Friderichsen syndrome associated with septicaemia caused by a DF-2 group bacterium (dysgonic fermenter--type 2--Atlanta classification) is presented. Attention is drawn to the relation of DF-2 group septicaemias to dog bites (or contact) and impaired host defence after splenectomy.