Adenovirus Infection and Rhabdomyolysis as a Cause of Acute Liver Failure in a Healthy Collegiate Football Athlete: A Case Report and Proposed Return to Play Protocol for Rhabdomyolysis

Abstract

Adenovirus is a common cause of upper respiratory and gastrointestinal tract infections. Though cases of significant organ failure and death have been reported in young children and immunocompromised individuals, adenovirus infections in healthy individuals are typically self-limiting without significant morbidity or mortality. Exertional rhabdomyolysis is a pathologic condition resulting from repetitive, excessive, or prolonged exercise, often in a hot environment, leading to acute muscle injury, renal injury and, rarely, death. We report a case of adenovirus infection leading to acute liver failure complicated by rhabdomyolysis in a collegiate football player presenting with nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. We propose a protocol to safely guide the return to play progression for patients with complicated exertional rhabdomyolysis.