We have herein reported on the case of a 97-year-old patient suffering from hypoxemic pneumonia caused by Mycoplasma pneumoniae, complicated by severe rhabdomyolysis. The diagnosis was based on the clinical picture associated with an equivocal serology, after excluding other obvious rhabdomyolysis-based etiologies. The clinical and biological progression proved to be rapidly favorable following targeted antibiotic therapy. After clarifying the unusual rhabdomyolysis etiology within a Geriatric Unit, we have further insisted on both the search and treatment of atypical bacteria when the clinical and radiological presentations point towards these conditions.
What is already known about the topic?
Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection is ubiquitous, sporadic, and described accross all age groups. Progression is mostly favorable, even without treatment.
What does this article bring up for us?
We have reported on an uncommon etiology of infectious rhabdomyolysis in the context of Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia observed in a 97-year-old patient, with a favorable course after initiating targeted antibiotic therapy.
Key words
Rhabdomyolyse, infection à bactéries atypiques, Mycoplasme pneumoniae, pneumonie