[A steroid-responsive case of severe rhabdomyolysis associated with cytomegalovirus infection].

Abstract

A 31-year-old man was admitted to our hospital, complaining of muscular weakness and pain in the legs one month after a common cold. On admission, neurological examinations demonstrated moderate weakness in the arms and mild weakness in the legs with decreased or diminished deep tendon reflexes, and mild dysphagia. Weakness was gradually extended to the arm, throat and respiratory muscles, requiring artificial ventilation. Laboratory examinations demonstrated increased levels of CK (upto 24,380 IU/L) and positive anti-cytomegalovirus (CMV) -IgM antibodies in the serum, and myogloburinuria. CMV was not detected in either the blood cells or muscles by PCR. There were no antibodies against viruses including Ebstein-Barr virus and HIV, in the serum. There were no autoantibodies related to collagen diseases in the serum. Systemic PET scan did not show any evidence of malignancy. Bone marrow biopsy did not show any atypical cells. Muscle MRI demonstrated mild atrophy with high intensity signals in part. Muscle biopsy demonstrated scattered necrotic and regenerated muscle fibers without inflammatory cell infiltration. The patient was therefore diagnosed as having rhabdomyolysis associated with CMV infection. After three courses of intravenously administered high dose methylprednislone over three days, muscle weakness improved gradually, and the serum CK level was normalized in two months. The patient recovered and was removed from artificial ventilation three months after the therapy. There were no sign of renal failure. Steroid therapy should be considered for the treatment of rhabdomyolysis or myopathy associated with CMV infection in order to prevent renal failure or fatal progression of the disease.

• Authors: Keishiro Sato, Makoto Yoneda, Koji Hayashi, Hiroto Nakagawa, Itsuro Higuchi, Masaru Kuriyama
• Journal: Rinsho shinkeigaku = Clinical neurology (Rinsho Shinkeigaku) Vol. 46 Issue 5 Pg. 312-6 (May 2006) ISSN: 0009-918X [Print] Japan
• PMID: 16886796 (Publication Type: Case Reports, English Abstract, Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Anti-Inflammatory Agents
• Methylprednisolone

Topics

• Adolescent
• Adult
• Anti-Inflammatory Agents (administration & dosage)
• Cytomegalovirus Infections (complications)
• Female
• Humans
• Male
• Methylprednisolone (administration & dosage)
• Myositis (complications)
• Pulse Therapy, Drug
• Rhabdomyolysis (complications, drug therapy)