Rhabdomyolysis associated with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection.

A case study is given of a 25-year old woman with rhabdomyolysis associated with HIV infection. The presenting symptoms were a 1-week history of backache, gross swelling of both hands and feet, and weakness and marked pain in most muscle groups; 3 days before admission the urine was black and she was unable to walk. Multiple, firm 1-2 cm lymph nodes were revealed during examination. White blood cell count (WBC) was 22,000/microliter with 12 pc lymphocytes, 7.3 pc monocytes, and 80.5 pc polymorphonuclear leukocytes. Hemoglobin concentration was 15.8 g/deciliter; platelet count was 124,000/microliter with a Westergren ESR of 109 mm/h. An antinuclear antibody test was negative. Serum concentration of urea was 3.8 mmol/liter, creatinine 42 microliter/liter, sodium 128 mmol/liter, and potassium 5.9 mmol/liter. Microscopic examination of urine revealed WBC 100/HPF, red blood cells 20/HBF, and granular casts. The dipstick test showed blood land protein in the urine. Electromyography showed inflammatory myopathy. Creatine Kinase (CK) concentration was 2359 IU/liter and lactate dehydrogenase concentration 1000 IU/liter. Hemolysis was present from clinical or laboratory signs. The patient tested HIV positive by ELISA (Abbott) and Western blot (Dupont). Treatment consisted of administration of 60 mg/day of prednisolone orally. Over 2 weeks, swelling of limbs was reduced and CK concentration was reduced to 931 IU/liter. The patient was discharged and did not keep a follow-up appointment. The patient did not have a history of other predisposing conditions, only HIV infection and persistent muscle weakness and inflammatory myopathy. There is evidence from other patient studies of myopathy associated with HIV infection and polymyositislike illness. In this case study, the patient may have had a acute form of polymyositis, or acute viral myositis such as occurs with echo, influenza, coxsackie, and other viral infections. A detailed viral investigation was not performed. HIV infection may have directly infected myocytes or immunosuppression predisposing to acute myositis by other pathogens. HIV-related muscle disease should include rhabdomyolysis.