Rhabdomyolysis-induced acute renal failure in Legionnaires' disease

A 57-year-old man with legionnaires' disease had acute renal failure as a result of nontraumatic rhabdomyolysis. This report documents an association between legionnaires' disease and rhabdomyolysis, an association only rarely suggested previously. The mechanism of rhabdomyolysis is unknown. Rhabdomyolysis should be considered in patients with legionnaires' disease who have acute renal failure.