[Legionella infection with rhabdomyolysis]

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Published on: November 22, 2013

A M Lihn1, J Kjeldsen

  • 1Medicinsk afdeling C, Odense Universitetshospital.

Ugeskrift for Laeger
|July 21, 1997
PubMed

Insights

Severe Legionnaires' disease can cause rhabdomyolysis, a serious muscle breakdown. Early treatment and supportive care prevented kidney failure in one case, highlighting the need for creatine phosphokinase monitoring.

Area of Science:

  • Infectious Diseases
  • Nephrology
  • Neurology

Background:

  • Legionella pneumophila infection, causing Legionnaires' disease, can lead to complications.
  • Rhabdomyolysis, a condition involving muscle breakdown, has been previously associated with Legionnaires' disease.

Observation:

  • A case of severe Legionnaires' disease presented with rhabdomyolysis, myoglobinuria, and neurological symptoms.
  • The patient received early treatment with erythromycin and rifampicin.
  • Supportive care including forced diuresis and alkanization was administered for myoglobinuria.

Findings:

  • The patient's myoglobinuria was managed effectively, and acute renal failure was averted.
  • The frequency, pathogenesis, and risk factors for rhabdomyolysis in Legionnaires' disease remain undetermined.

Implications:

  • Routine creatine phosphokinase level monitoring is recommended for patients with Legionnaires' disease due to the risk of rhabdomyolysis.
  • Further research is needed to understand the mechanisms and identify risk factors for this severe complication.

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