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Case Reports
. 2020 May 12;12(5):e8074.
doi: 10.7759/cureus.8074.

A Rare Presentation of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Induced Viral Myositis With Subsequent Rhabdomyolysis

Qian Zhang  1 , Khine S Shan  2 , Artem Minalyan  1 , Conor O'Sullivan  1 , Travis Nace  3
Affiliations
Case Reports

A Rare Presentation of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Induced Viral Myositis With Subsequent Rhabdomyolysis

Qian Zhang et al. Cureus. .

Abstract

A 38-year-old gentleman with no significant past medical history but had recent COVID-19 exposure presented to the hospital with the chief complaints of fever, shortness of breath, and generalized myalgia. He was unfortunately found to be severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) positive. Laboratory findings showed creatine kinase (CK) >42,670 U/L along with elevated inflammatory markers and unremarkable creatinine, cardiac troponin level. The cause of his rhabdomyolysis was discovered to be due to COVID-19 as he had no evidence of other viral infections, strenuous exercise, seizure, or other nontraumatic exertional etiologies. He received aggressive fluid resuscitation while we trended his CK levels along with other inflammatory markers throughout his hospitalization course. His diffuse myalgia improved with treatments, and he was found to maintain stable hemodynamics and was subsequently discharged home.

Keywords: coronavirus; covid-19; myositis; novel coronavirus; rhabdomyolysis; viral myositis.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1. Chest X-Ray
Consolidation found in the right upper and middle lobes with the presence of air bronchograms. H, head; F, foot, AP, anterior/posterior view.
Figure 2
Figure 2. Creatine Kinase
The graph shows persistent elevation of creatine kinase (CK) >42,670 U/L for six days prior to a decrease in the levels.
Figure 3
Figure 3. Ferritin
The ferritin levels throughout the hospitalization course.
Figure 4
Figure 4. C-Reactive Protein (CRP)
The CRP levels throughout the hospitalization course.
Figure 5
Figure 5. Lactate Dehydrogenase (LDH)
The LDH levels throughout the hospitalization course.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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