Influenza-associated myoglobinuric renal failure.

Area of Science:

• Nephrology
• Infectious Diseases
• Pathology

Background:

• Acute kidney injury is a significant clinical concern.
• Myoglobinuric renal failure is a severe form of kidney damage.
• Influenza virus is a common respiratory pathogen.

Observation:

• Three patients developed acute myoglobinuric renal failure during influenza virus infection.
• Elevated muscle enzyme levels and myoglobinuria were observed in all patients.
• Hemagglutination inhibition titers confirmed recent influenza infection.

Findings:

• Influenza-associated myoglobinuric renal failure can occur.
• Two of three patients recovered renal function; one died.
• These cases represented over half of myoglobinuric renal failure cases during the study period.

Implications:

• The association between influenza and myoglobinuric renal failure may be underestimated.
• Clinicians should consider influenza as a potential cause of acute kidney injury.
• Further research is needed to understand this link and its management.