Infection associated acute interstitial nephritis; a case report

Background: Acute interstitial nephritis (AIN) is a clinico-pathological syndrome associated with a variety of infections, drugs, and sometimes with unknown causes. It is a common cause of acute kidney injury (AKI) and subsequent renal impairment, which often times is under-diagnosed. Infection-associated AIN occurs as a consequence of many systemic bacterial, viral, and parasitic infec-tions; however, its incidence has decreased significantly after the advent of antimicrobials. Infection-associated AIN presents with both oliguric or non-oliguric renal insufficiency, without the classical clinical triad of AIN (fever, rash, and arthralgia). In this scenario the renal function is usually reversible after the infection is treated. In most cases, patients with acute renal failure present with extra-renal manifestations typically detected in underlying infections. Renal biopsy serves as the most definitive test for both the diagnosis and prognosis of AIN. Case Presentation: In this paper, we will address one such case of biopsy-proven AIN. In this case, the patient presented with severe AKI induced by anaerobic streptococcus, leading to a periodontal abscess, which was successfully treated with corticosteroids and requiring renal replacement therapy (RRT). Conclusions: AIN should be considered in the differential for unexplained AKI. Initial management should include conservative therapy by withdrawing any suspected causative agent. Renal biopsy is needed for confirmation in cases where kidney function fails to improve within 5–7 days on conservative therapy. Risk of immunosuppression is very important to consider when giving steroids in patients with infection induced AIN, and steroids may have to be delayed until the active infection is completely controlled

The use of eculizumab in gemcitabine induced thrombotic microangiopathy

Abstract Background Thrombotic microangiopathy (TMA) secondary to gemcitabine therapy (GiTMA) is a very rare pathology that carries a poor prognosis, with nearly half of the cases progressing to end stage renal disease. GiTMA is most commonly associated with adenocarcinomas, most notably pancreatic cancers. The mainstay of management is withdrawal of the offending drug and supportive care. Plasmapheresis has a limited role and hemodialysis may help in the management of fluid overload secondary to renal failure. Furthermore, a C5 inhibitor, eculizumab, has been successfully used in the treatment of GiTMA. Case presentation A 64-year-old Caucasian female with history of pancreatic adenocarcinoma on gemcitabine chemotherapy presented with signs and symptoms of fluid overload and was found to have abnormal kidney function. Her BP was 195/110 mmHg, serum creatinine 4.48 mg/dl, hemoglobin 8.2 g/dl, platelets 53 × 103/cmm, lactate dehydrogenase 540 IU/L, and was found to have schistocytes on blood film. A diagnosis of TMA secondary to gemcitabine therapy was suspected. Hemodialysis for volume overload and daily plasmapheresis were initiated. After six days of plasmapheresis, renal function did not improve. Further work up revealed ADAMTS 13 activity >15%, low C3, and stool culture and Shiga-toxin PCR were negative. Renal biopsy was consistent with TMA. Gemcitabine was discontinued, but renal function failed to improve and eculizumab therapy was considered due to suspicion of aHUS. Serum creatinine >2.26 mg/dl and a platelet count of >/= 30 × 109/L is highly suggestive of aHUS, while TTP is more likely when creatinine is <2.26 mg/dl and platelet count of <30 × 109/L. She received intravenous eculizumab for eight months, which resulted in significant improvement of renal function. Other markers of hemolysis, namely LDH and bilirubin, also rapidly improved following eculizumab therapy. Plasmapheresis and hemodialysis were discontinued after two and eight weeks of initiation respectively. Conclusion Chemotherapy induced TMA is very rare and requires a high index of clinical suspicion for timely diagnosis. Discontinuation of the offending drug and supportive care is the main stay of treatment; however, eculizumab has been shown to be beneficial in GiTMA. Further research is required to validate this approach