Legionnaire's disease can cause rare and severe complications such as rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney injury. This case report details a 45-year-old male patient who presented with features of Legionnaire's disease. Laboratory results showed a significantly elevated serum creatinine kinase level and an increased creatinine level. Imaging showed right lower lobe consolidation, and a positive urine antigen test confirmed Legionnaire's disease. The patient was administered azithromycin and underwent fluid repletion to manage the rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney injury, resulting in improved creatinine kinase levels and kidney function. He was discharged and continued on azithromycin for 10 days. His outpatient follow-up showed that creatinine kinase levels had further decreased. This case report emphasises the importance of early recognition and management of Legionnaire's disease and its rare but severe complications.
Learning points:
Legionnaire's disease is a severe form of pneumonia caused by Legionella bacteria that can lead to rare complications such as rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney injury, which have high morbidity and mortality rates.The treatment for Legionnaire's disease complicated with rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney injury involves early fluid repletion, antibiotics and close monitoring of creatinine kinase levels, electrolytes and kidney function.For patients with creatinine kinase levels over 5000 U/l without hypocalcaemia or alkalaemia, urinary alkalinisation with bicarbonate therapy may be considered as a treatment option.