Rhabdomyolysis of infectious and noninfectious causes.
BACKGROUND
This study was done to determine variables associated with infectious rhabdomyolysis (IRM).


METHODS
In this retrospective case-control study, rhabdomyolysis (RM) was defined as a fivefold or greater elevation in creatine kinase (CK) levels with a muscle/brain (MB) fraction <5%. Patients with myocardial infarction or cerebrovascular accident or a recent history of surgery, trauma, or immobilization were excluded.


RESULTS
We analyzed 52 cases of RM seen at our institution between 1992 and 2000; IRM was the most frequent cause (31%), most commonly respiratory tract infections (38%). When a microorganism could be identified (50%), it was more often gram-negative (63%). Patients with IRM were elderly and had fever and lower CK levels. Infectious rhabdomyolysis was associated with a higher morbidity but not with a higher risk of death.


CONCLUSIONS
Infectious rhabdomyolysis is the main cause of RM and must be suspected in elderly patients with fever and low levels of CK.
Blanco
José Ramón
JR
Servicio de Medicina Interna y Documentación Clínica Complejo Hospitalario Sán Millán-San Pedro, Lardero, Spain.
Zabalza
Marta
M
Salcedo
Javier
J
Echeverria
Lorenzo
L
García
Ana
A
Vallejo
Manuel
M
D058186:Acute Kidney Injury / Q000209:etiology; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003141:Communicable Diseases / Q000150:complications* / Q000382:microbiology; D003402:Creatine Kinase / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012206:Rhabdomyolysis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000401:mortality; D012307:Risk Factors; D013030:Spain / Q000453:epidemiology
D003402:Creatine Kinase