Rhabdomyolysis, acute renal failure, and multiple focal neuropathies after drinking alcohol soaked with centipede.
Many Chinese like to drink alcohol soaked with creatures for promoting health. This study reports a 49-year-old male who presented with multiple focal neuropathies of the upper limbs, coagulopathy, erythematous swelling of the bilateral upper extremities and trunk with bullous skin lesions, and rhabdomyolysis associated with acute renal failure after drinking alcohol soaked with centipede. Soaking a centipede, Scolopendra subspinipes mutilans, in 53% alcohol, produced the wine. Supportive treatment was administered, and the skin lesions and renal failure improved with subsequent neurologic deficit during the week following initial presentation. Alcohol binge or immobilization was the likely cause of neuropathy, bullous skin lesions and rhabdomyolysis in the patient. However, there is a possibility that centipede venom also contributed to the illness in this patient.
Wang
I-Kuan
IK
Division of Nephrology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital at Chiayi, Putz, Taiwan. ikwang@seed.net.tw
Hsu
Shih-Pin
SP
Chi
Ching-Chi
CC
Lee
Kam-Fai
KF
Lin
Paul Yann
PY
Chang
Hsueh-Wen
HW
Chuang
Feng-Rong
FR
D058186:Acute Kidney Injury / Q000209:etiology*; D000434:Alcoholic Beverages / Q000009:adverse effects*; D000818:Animals; D001180:Arthropod Venoms / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D007313:Insecta; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009422:Nervous System Diseases / Q000209:etiology*; D012206:Rhabdomyolysis / Q000209:etiology*
D001180:Arthropod Venoms