Rhabdomyolysis associated with Streptococcus pneumoniae bacteremia in a splenectomized patient

Invasive infection due to Streptococcus pneumoniae associated with rhabdomyolysis is rare. We report the case of a 31-year-old splenectomized man with pneumococcal bacteremia and paranasal sinusitis who presented with flu-like symptoms preceding a fulminant course of sepsis and rhabdomyolysis with acute renal failure and elevated creatinine phosphokinase. Although the possible mechanisms of rhabodomyolysis associated with pneumococcal infection remain unclear, this report may serve to alert clinicians of the need to prevent fulminant pneumococcal infection by vaccination and treatment with antibiotic prophylaxis in splenectomized patients.