Korean J Intern Med.  2003 Dec;18(4):248-250.

Tsutsugamushi Infection-Associated Acute Rhabdomyolysis and Acute Renal Failure

• Park CY
• Chung CH
• Kim HL
• Chung JH

Abstract

Rhabdomyolysis is a rare complication that emerges in a variety of infectious diseases, such as tsutsugamushi infection. In this study, we report a 71-year-old female patient with tsutsugamushi infection who exhibiting rhabdomyolysis and acute renal failure. On admission, an eschar, which is characteristic of tsutsugamushi infection, was found on her right flank area. Moreover, her tsutsugamushi antibody titer was 1: 40960. The elevated values of serum creatinine phosphokinase (CPK), aldolase, creatinine and dark brown urine secondary to myoglobinuria are consistent with indications of rhabdomyolysis and acute renal failure due to tsutsugamushi infection. Her health improved without any residual effects after treatment with doxycyclin and hydration with normal saline.

Keyword

Tsutsugamushi infection; Rhabdomyolysis; Acute renal failure

MeSH Terms

Acute Disease
Aged
Creatine Kinase/blood
Doxycycline/therapeutic use
Female
Human
Kidney Failure/*etiology
Rhabdomyolysis/*etiology
Scrub Typhus/*complications/*diagnosis/drug therapy
Support, Non-U.S. Gov't