title: Rhabdomyolysis associated with cytomegalovirus infection in kidney transplant recipients.
abstract: Rhabdomyolysis is a pathological syndrome caused by skeletal muscle cell damage that affects the integrity of the cellular membrane and leads to the release of toxic intracellular constituents into the bloodstream. Although cytomegalovirus (CMV) has rarely been reported as a cause of rhabdomyolysis, CMV infection could be considered as a possible cause because of its clinical significance in kidney transplant recipients (KTRs). We report 2 cases of rhabdomyolysis associated with CMV infection in KTRs. A 64-year-old woman (Case 1) and a 65-year-old man (Case 2), who had each received a kidney from a living unrelated donor, were admitted with complaints of weakness in both legs and myalgia. Laboratory findings revealed highly increased creatine phosphokinase and myoglobinuria. In both cases, no recent alterations of medications had occurred, and other causes of rhabdomyolysis--such as trauma, alcohol, drugs, and electrolyte abnormalities - were excluded. CMV pp65 antigen was positive, and patients were diagnosed with rhabdomyolysis associated with CMV infection. Both patients recovered without complications after ganciclovir treatment. In conclusion, CMV infection should be considered as a possible cause of rhabdomyolysis in KTRs.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Kyungpook National University School of Medicine, Daegu, Korea; Clinical Research Center for End Stage Renal Disease in Korea, Daegu, Korea.
authors.forename: H-Y
authors.initials: HY
authors.lastname: Jung
authors.forename: K-H
authors.initials: KH
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: S-C
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Park
authors.forename: J-H
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: J-Y
authors.initials: JY
authors.lastname: Choi
authors.forename: J-H
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Cho
authors.forename: S-H
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Park
authors.forename: Y-L
authors.initials: YL
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: H-K
authors.initials: HK
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Huh
authors.forename: C-D
authors.initials: CD
authors.lastname: Kim
mesh_terms: D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000097:blood; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003586:Cytomegalovirus Infections / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy; D005260:Female; D015774:Ganciclovir / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000097:blood; D016030:Kidney Transplantation / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012206:Rhabdomyolysis / Q000209:etiology*
chemical_list: D000914:Antibodies, Viral; D000998:Antiviral Agents; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D015774:Ganciclovir
keywords: CMV infection; kidney transplantation; rhabdomyolysis