[Legionella infection with rhabdomyolysis].

Rhabdomyolysis complicating infection with Legionella pneumophila has previously been reported and may in some cases have led to acute tubular interstitial necrosis. We report a case of severe Legionnaires' disease complicated with rhabdomyolysis, myoglobinuria and neurological symptoms. Treatment with erythromycin and rifampicin was initiated early in the course of disease. The myoglobinuria was treated with forced diuresis and alkanization and renal failure did not develop. The frequency of rhabdomyolysis as a complication to Legionnaires' disease is not known. In addition, the pathogenesis and possible risk factors have not yet been determined. Considering the seriousness of this complication and until further investigations have been performed we recommend that routine determinations of creatine phosphokinase are performed in the evaluation of these patients.