Objective The objective of this report describes the clinical and epidemiologic characteristics of the 17 patients with confirmed cases of rhabdomyolysis induced by red swamp crawfish.

Methods Between 10 August 2010 and 31 August 2010, 17 patients were admitted to the department of emergency, the first affiliated hospital of Nanjing Medical University with a history of red swamp crayfish eating, and the patients were diagnosed as rhabdomyolysis. We presented the 17 patients in which serum creatine kinase, myoglobin was obtained or serially monitored either on presentation to the emergency department or after hospital admission.

Results The median peak CK level was 9026.0 IU/l, which was detected on the 13–16th h. The median peak blood myoglobin level was 1000 ug/l, which was detected on the 5–12th h. The creatine kinase and myoglobin had normalised on the 121–144th and 69–72th h. After treatment of aggressive hydration and alkalinisation, none of the patients had acute renal failure. All recovered completely.

Conclusions The earlier diagnosis and progressive treatment are essential for the prognosis of the subjects with rhabdomyolysis, and the mechanisms of rhabdomyolysis caused by red swamp crawfish needs further study.