Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 8, 2026
10:49
Pre-clinical Evaluation of Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors for Treatment of Acute Leukemia
Published on: September 19, 2013
Rhabdomyolysis complicating polymicrobial sepsis in a patient with acute leukemia
H Funada1, H Shirasaki, T Matsuda
1Protected Environment Unit, Kanazawa University School of Medicine.
Internal Medicine (Tokyo, Japan)
|January 1, 1996
Summary
Rhabdomyolysis and myoglobinuria are rare in sepsis. This case highlights a multifactorial etiology in a leukemia patient with polymicrobial sepsis and disseminated fungal infections.
Area of Science:
- Medicine
- Infectious Diseases
- Nephrology
Background:
- Rhabdomyolysis, characterized by muscle breakdown and myoglobinuria, is an infrequent complication of sepsis.
- Severe sepsis, particularly with multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS), can present with diverse complications.
Observation:
- A middle-aged acute leukemia patient developed rhabdomyolysis and myoglobinuria during chemotherapy-induced sepsis.
- The sepsis was caused by Bacteroides thetaiotaomicron and Enterococcus faecalis, leading to MODS.
- Autopsy revealed disseminated Aspergillus and Candida infections.
Findings:
- The identified pathogens (B. thetaiotaomicron, E. faecalis, Aspergillus, Candida) are not typically associated with rhabdomyolysis.
- The rhabdomyolysis in this case likely resulted from multiple contributing factors.
Implications:
- This case expands the understanding of potential causes of rhabdomyolysis in immunocompromised patients.
- Polymicrobial sepsis and disseminated infections should be considered in the differential diagnosis of rhabdomyolysis in complex cases.
- Further research may elucidate the specific mechanisms linking these infections to muscle injury.
Related Concept Videos
01:28Acute Pyelonephritis II: Diagnostic Studies and Management
Introduction:For diagnosing acute pyelonephritis, a comprehensive patient history is collected to identify symptoms such as dysuria, frequent or urgent urination, flank pain, or costovertebral angle (CVA) tenderness that may suggest a kidney infection.Physical ExaminationDuring the physical examination, CVA tenderness is assessed. This involves gentle percussion over the costovertebral angle, where tenderness often indicates a kidney infection.Diagnostic TestsUrinalysis: Used to identify white...
01:22Acute Kidney Injury I: Introduction
Introduction:Acute Kidney Injury (AKI) describes a swift decrease in kidney function occurring over hours to days, characterized by the kidneys' failure to remove waste products from the bloodstream. This leads to dangerous complications like metabolic acidosis, fluid overload, and electrolyte imbalances, such as hyperkalemia, which can cause life-threatening arrhythmias. AKI is common in both hospital and outpatient settings, often triggered by dehydration, sepsis, or exposure to nephrotoxic...
01:20Acute Kidney Injury V: Interprofessional Care
Acute Kidney Injury (AKI) requires a collaborative healthcare approach to restore renal function and prevent complications. Essential management strategies involve monitoring fluid and electrolyte balance, adjusting medications, initiating dialysis when necessary, and providing nutritional support.Fluid and Electrolyte ManagementFluid Monitoring: Regularly monitoring body weight, central venous pressure, and urine output helps detect fluid imbalances early. Patient intake and output are...
01:28Diabetic Nephropathy
Definition Diabetic nephropathy is a chronic kidney complication that results from prolonged hyperglycemia.Prevalence It is the most common cause of chronic kidney disease (CKD) and end-stage renal disease (ESRD) worldwide, affecting up to half of individuals with diabetes.Pathophysiology • Sustained hyperglycemia triggers multiple hemodynamic and metabolic changes in the kidney. • Early in the disease, increased renal blood flow and glomerular hyperfiltration occur due to afferent arteriolar...