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Bacterial sepsis-induced rhabdomyolysis
A Betrosian1, E Thireos, G Kofinas
1Intensive Care Unit, Hippokration General Hospital, Athens, Greece.
Intensive Care Medicine
|July 13, 1999
Summary
Bacterial sepsis can cause rhabdomyolysis, particularly with gram-positive bacteria. A hyperosmolar state is a key factor in developing this condition during bacteremic sepsis.
Area of Science:
- Critical Care Medicine
- Infectious Diseases
- Nephrology
Background:
- Rhabdomyolysis is a serious condition involving muscle breakdown.
- Bacterial sepsis is a life-threatening response to infection.
- The relationship between sepsis, rhabdomyolysis, and hyperosmolality requires further elucidation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the incidence and characteristics of rhabdomyolysis in bacterial sepsis.
- To investigate the role of hyperosmolality in sepsis-induced rhabdomyolysis.
- To analyze the correlation between plasma osmolality and creatine phosphokinase levels.
Main Methods:
- Prospective study in a medical/surgical intensive care unit.
- Inclusion of patients with sepsis and positive blood cultures.
- Comparison between patients with and without rhabdomyolysis, analyzing blood culture results and osmolality.
Main Results:
- Rhabdomyolysis occurred in 7.1% of sepsis patients.
- Gram-positive bacteria were more prevalent in sepsis-induced rhabdomyolysis.
- A significant correlation was found between plasma osmolality and creatine phosphokinase levels, especially in gram-positive infections.
Conclusions:
- Bacterial sepsis-induced rhabdomyolysis is associated with specific microorganisms, predominantly gram-positive.
- Hyperosmolality acts as a predisposing factor for rhabdomyolysis in bacteremic sepsis.
- While complications like acute renal failure are common, rhabdomyolysis itself did not appear to directly contribute to mortality in this cohort.
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