[A patient with serious viral myositis following flu].
A 16-year-old girl presented at the emergency unit with myalgia following a flu-like episode. Laboratory tests indicated severe rhabdomyolysis and nephritis. Autoimmune-induced myositis was excluded on the basis of negative tests for antinuclear antibodies; prednisolone treatment was discontinued 1 week later. The patient recovered gradually and was discharged with physiotherapy 2 weeks later. High positive titres of complement-binding antibody against influenza B virus were found, i.e. 1:125 and 1:250 on days to and 25 of illness, respectively. Viral myositis is an uncommon disease entity that occurs following a viral infection, especially with influenza virus, that has been experienced for the first time. It usually runs a benign course: children often present with calf tenderness that resolves within a few days. There are cases, however, with a more serious course involving severe rhabdomyolysis and acute renal failure that can be sometimes fatal.
Hoeksma
M
M
Isala Klinieken, Zwolle.
van Baasbank
M C
MC
Remijn
J A
JA
Ruijs
G J H M
GJ
Veenhuizen
L
L
D000293:Adolescent; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000097:blood*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D009981:Influenza B virus / Q000276:immunology*; D007251:Influenza, Human / Q000150:complications*; D009220:Myositis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000821:virology*; D009393:Nephritis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000821:virology; D012206:Rhabdomyolysis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000821:virology
D000914:Antibodies, Viral