Recurrent Post-Viral Rhabdomyolysis in a 36-Year-Old Male: A Case Report

Authors

Warda Naqvi, MD, Jefferson Abington HospitalFollow
David Walz, MD, Jefferson Abington Hospital
Lucy Checchio, MD, Jefferson Abington HospitalFollow

Abstract

Rhabdomyolysis is a syndrome of skeletal muscle breakdown, releasing intracellular contents such as creatine kinase (CK) and myoglobin into the bloodstream, which can precipitate acute kidney injury (AKI).¹ While trauma, extreme exertion, and toxins are frequent culprits, infections, particularly viral illnesses, represent a less common but significant trigger.² Influenza and other respiratory viruses have been implicated in sporadic cases of rhabdomyolysis, often presenting with acute myalgias and elevated CK levels following a viral prodrome.³ In contrast, recurrent rhabdomyolysis is typically associated with inherited metabolic myopathies (e.g., McArdle disease) or autoimmune myositis, conditions often marked by distinct genetic or inflammatory characteristics.^4,5 The intersection of viral infections with recurrent muscle breakdown, however, remains poorly explained, posing diagnostic and therapeutic challenges. Here, we report a case of an African American male with a decade-long history of recurrent rhabdomyolysis linked to viral infections, lacking a clear genetic or autoimmune etiology, offering insight into this rare clinical phenomenon.

Recommended Citation

Naqvi, MD, Warda; Walz, MD, David; and Checchio, MD, Lucy (2025) "Recurrent Post-Viral Rhabdomyolysis in a 36-Year-Old Male: A Case Report," The Medicine Forum: Vol. 26, Article 38.
Available at: https://jdc.jefferson.edu/tmf/vol26/iss1/38