Seven cases of granulomatous interstitial nephritis in the absence of extrarenal sarcoid.

BACKGROUND: Renal disease in sarcoidosis may occur due to granulomatous interstitial nephritis. However, granulomatous interstitial nephritis in the absence of features of extrarenal sarcoid, or other causes, has been reported very rarely. In this report we describe seven such patients. METHODS: Since 1995, we have identified a number of patients with biopsy-proven granulomatous interstitial nephritis. Patients were excluded if they had (i) evidence of extrarenal sarcoid, (ii) infections that may have contributed to pathogenesis or (iii) an obvious drug-related aetiology. RESULTS: Seven patients were identified, of whom five were male and two female, with a median age of 69. Median calculated creatinine clearance at presentation was 14 ml/min. Two had raised serum calcium at presentation and three had a raised serum angiotensin-converting enzyme. All patients were treated with steroids and five out of seven had an improvement in their renal function. Two patients progressed to end-stage renal failure despite treatment with steroids. CONCLUSIONS: Idiopathic granulomatous interstitial nephritis may represent a renal-limited form of sarcoid. It may be associated with hypercalcaemia and a raised serum angiotensin-converting enzyme and usually responds to treatment with corticosteroids.     

Reversible renal failure due to isolated renal sarcoidosis

Renal impairment in sarcoidosis is usually due to hypercalcaemia and nephrocalcinosis but can also be caused by granulomatous nephritis or interstitial nephritis without sarcoid granulomata. A variety of types of glomerulonephritis have also been described in sarcoidosis but these rarely cause impaired renal function. Renal failure as an isolated manifestation of sarcoidosis is uncommon. A 66-year-old woman presented with a 1-year history of lethargy, polyuria and nocturia. Clinical examination was unremarkable and she had impaired renal function (urea 18 mmol/l (108 mg%) and creatinine 380 mumol/l (4.3 mg%)). As her kidneys were normal in size, she underwent renal biopsy, which revealed granulomatous interstitial nephritis. Reevaluation showed no other evidence of sarcoidosis and she had impaired urinary acidification and concentrating capacities. Therapy with corticosteroids produced a marked improvement in symptoms and renal function. This case confirms the view that granulomatous sarcoid nephritis is steroid sensitive and that full recovery can be expected provided interstitial fibrosis and scarring do not occur.     

Renal impairment in sarcoidosis: granulomatous nephritis as an isolated cause (two case reports and review of the literature)

Renal impairment in sarcoidosis is unusual: cases with granulomatous interstitial nephritis (GIN) and without associated glomerular disease, nephrocalcinosis and hypercalcemia have rarely been described. We report 2 such cases, one of whom is the first patient documented as surviving following presentation in dialysis dependent renal failure. Review of the literature revealed a further 20 patients. Of the 22 patients, including our own, 3 failed to respond to treatment, all dying in acute renal failure. Relapse occurred in 4, in association with rapid reduction or early cessation of treatment. No relapse was reported later than 9 months after starting treatment with corticosteroid. The majority of patients (15/19) who responded to treatment had residual renal impairment after up to 30 months of steroid treatment.     

Carbamazepine-induced acute granulomatous interstitial nephritis

A 79-year-old man, newly started on carbamazepine, presented with rash, eosinophilia and liver dysfunction progressing to acute renal failure despite discontinuation of the anti-epileptic agent. Percutaneous renal biopsy revealed acute granulomatous interstitial nephritis, which responded successfully to high-dose oral steroid therapy.     

Treatment of proliferative lupus nephritis: a changing landscape

Grootscholten et al. report a randomized controlled trial comparing azathioprine plus intravenous methylprednisolone and oral prednisolone (AZA group) with intermittent intravenous cyclophosphamide and oral prednisolone (CY group) in patients with proliferative lupus nephritis. AZA-treated patients were more likely to develop non-sustained doubling of their serum creatinine, although not significantly so, and significantly more likely to have a relapse of their nephritis than CY-treated patients.     

A case of granulomatous interstitial nephritis presented reversible renal failure treated with the steroid therapy: repeated renal biopsy case]

This report describes clinical and histopathological findings of a case of a 43-year-old male with granulomatous interstitial nephritis. The patient developed renal failure following renal insufficiency of 4 months duration. The patient presented with lethargy and nocturia. The first renal biopsy revealed granulomatous interstitial nephritis. There was no apparent evidence of a systemic granulomatous disease or drug hypersensitivity. Therapy with reducing regime of prednisolone produced a marked improvement in symptoms and renal function. Relapse occurred 3 months later in association with early discontinuation of the corticosteroid therapy. Ga-scintigraphy demonstrated an abnormal accumulation of gallium in both kidneys. The second renal biopsy did not show the obvious improvement. With the re-administration of the corticosteroid therapy, renal function rapidly improved again. Twelve months after the re-administration of the steroid therapy, Ga-scintigraphy showed no renal uptake. Corticosteroid therapy yielded a favorable outcome for renal function. The third renal biopsy showed disappearance of the granulomas lesion. Re-administration of the corticosteroid therapy continued for 22 months and the patient has not yet relapsed 9 months after the withdrawal of the steroid therapy.     

Mizoribine for renal sarcoidosis: effective steroid tapering and prevention of recurrence

Sarcoidosis is a systemic disease of unknown etiology that is characterized by chronic non-caseating granulomatous inflammation with tissue destruction. It is an uncommon disease in children, and renal sarcoidosis in particular is very rare in adults and children. A 17-year-old boy with renal sarcoidosis was referred to our hospital with an initial diagnosis of pyelonephritis. Prior treatment with various antibiotics had not been effective, but tentative oral daily prednisolone (PSL) had partially ameliorated his symptoms, although the symptoms recurred during steroid tapering. We detected non-caseating granulomatous interstitial nephritis and numerous sclerotic glomeruli in a second biopsy specimen, compatible with the diagnosis of renal sarcoidosis. The patient was treated with pulsed methyl-prednisolone and oral daily doses of PSL and mizoribine (MZR). During the treatment with MZR, the PSL was successfully tapered, and the patient has since presented no signs of recurrence. Our treatment of this patient shows that treatment with MZR can allow steroid sparing and prevent recurrence in a patient with sarcoidosis.     

Renal failure due to granulomatous interstitial nephritis in native and allograft renal biopsies: experience from a tertiary care hospital

Granulomatous interstitial nephritis is a rare cause of renal failure in both native and allograft renal biopsies. Drugs and sarcoidosis are the commonest causes of granulomatous interstitial nephritis as reported in Western countries. Unlike the west, tuberculosis is the commonest cause of granulomatous interstitial nephritis in Indian subcontinent. The etiological factors, clinical course, glomerular and tubulointerstitial changes associated with granulomatous interstitial nephritis have been analyzed in the present study along with the outcome in patients with granulomatous interstitial nephritis.     

Mesalazine-associated interstitial nephritis

BACKGROUND.: When used for oral treatment of inflammatory bowel disease,Asacol (a coated form of mesalazine = 5-aminosalicylic acid)can cause interstitial nephritis. The spectrum of severity,frequency of occurrence and the best renal function test todetect this complication are not known. The value of immunosuppressionin addition to drug withdrawal is similarly undetermined. METHODS.: Four cases of interstitial nephritis which occurred in associationwith oral Asacol treatment are presented and a further 12 caseswho received similar treatment are reviewed. Clinical trialspublished previously were scrutinized to assess the frequencyof impaired renal function. RESULTS.: The available evidence suggests that renal impairment of anyseverity may occur in up to 1 in 100 patients, but that clinicallysignificant interstitial nephritis occurs in less than 1 in500 patients. This is most reliably detected by an elevatedserum creatinine concentration. If the diagnosis of nephrotoxicityis delayed until 18 months after commencement of medication,restoration of renal function, which is seen on withdrawal ofmedication alone up to 10 months, does not occur and there isno evidence to date to indicate that addition of immunosuppressionconfers any significant advantage at this later stage. CONCLUSIONS.: It is suggested that serum creatinine concentration should bemeasured each month for the first 3 months of treatment, 3-monthlyfor the remainder of the first year and annually thereafter.The use of concurrent immunosuppressive therapy may necessitateextension to the period of intensive monitoring. Any elevationof serum creatinine which cannot be related to a relapse ofinflammatory bowel disease should prompt immediate withdrawalof Asacol and related medications and substitution of alternativetherapy. Neither the lack of urinary abnormalities on routinetesting nor the absence of clinical or laboratory features ofdrug allergy can be relied upon to rule out interstitial nephritisduring oral therapy with these drugs.     

Reversible acute renal failure associated with clomipramine-induced interstitial nephritis

We describe a 41-year old man with obsessive-compulsive neurosis who developed acute renal failure (ARF) due to acute interstitial nephritis (AIN) during 6 weeks of treatment with clomipramine hydrochloride (CPH). He had a slight fever, mild arthralgia, appetite loss, and diarrhea after taking CPH. On admission, he showed serum creatinine (sCr) of 7.31 mg/dl, and creatinine clearance (Ccr) of 2.5 ml/min. He subsequently became anuric and required hemodialysis. Renal biopsy revealed AIN with diffuse mononuclear cell infiltration. After the withdrawal of CPH and treatment with prednisolone (PSL) 0.5 mg/kg per day, his urinary output improved, along with improvement of his renal function; therefore hemodialysis was finally discontinued. To our knowledge, this is the first case report of AIN induced by clomipramine.     

Clinicopathologic features of antineutrophil cytoplasm autoantibody (ANCA)-associated acute renal failure in Chinese patients

Summary: The clinical course and renal pathologic features of anti-neutrophil cytoplasm auto-antibody (ANCA)-associated renal disease were studied among Chinese patients from a single centre. Eight ANCA positive patients with acute renal impairment were studied, four of whom required dialysis shortly after presentation. Their mean age at presentation was 61.6 ± 4.2 years. Renal histology, obtained in seven patients, showed paucummune crescentic glomerulonephritis in five patients, interstitial nephritis in two patients, and small vessel vasculitis in one patient. Pulmonary baemorrhage was the other common disease manifestation, present in four of the eight patients, necessitating ventilatory support in three patients. Neurologic, cutaneous, and gastrointestinal involvement were also observed. Seven of the eight patients tested positive for pANCA and anti-myeloperoxidase, while cANCA was detected in one patient of the eight patients, six (75%) responded to therapy, consisting of prednisolone and cyclophosphamide in five patients, and antibacterial therapy alone in one patient, who had interstitial nephritis but no evidence of vasculitis. Two patients died from sepsis and severe debilitation one month after presentation. of the other six patients, five had significant improvement of renal function, while one became dialysis-dependent. the levels of ANCA and C-reactive protein remained normal, and disease reactivation was not observed during follow-up for 32.4 ± 6.1 months. Patient and renal survival rates at one year were 75% and 62.5%, respectively. It was concluded that the clinical and pathologic features of ANCA-associated renal disease in Chinese patients are, in general, similar to those described in Caucasians. Nevertheless, cANCA-positivity is distinctly uncommon. the demonstration of interstitial nephritis in two of the eight patients underlines the importance of renal biopsy for correct histologic diagnosis. Early institution of aggressive immunosuppression and supportive therapies are essential for the achievement of favourable outcome in patients with vasculitis.     

Levofloxacin-induced granulomatous interstitial nephritis

The authors report the case of a 47-year-old woman in whom a systemic illness developed characterized by fever, malaise, abnormal liver function results, and acute renal failure after treatment for presumed urinary tract infection with levofloxacin. Because of suspicion of an allergic drug reaction, all medications were discontinued, but the patient remained febrile with renal failure for 18 days. Complete workup for presumed vasculitis, autoimmune illness, or infectious etiologies was negative, and the patient underwent both renal and liver biopsy. Liver biopsy results showed nonspecific changes. Renal biopsy disclosed extensive granulomatous interstitial nephritis with associated granulomatous vasculitis. The patient was begun on oral steroids with rapid defervescence of fever and progressive normalization of renal function. The authors discuss the association of granulomatous nephritis with drugs and review the known nephrotoxicity of fluoroquinolones. Am J Kidney Dis 41:E7.     

IgA nephritis: on the importance of morphological and clinical parameters in the long-term prognosis of 239 patients

This study is concerned with the correlation between tubulointerstitial changes (interstitial fibrosis, acute renal failure, and interstitial fibrosis with acute renal failure), glomerular changes (focal and segmental lesions, hyperperfusion lesions), vascular changes, clinical data at the time of biopsy (serum creatinine concentration, creatinine clearance, hematuria, proteinuria, and hypertension) and first symptoms (hematuria, proteinuria and hypertension) and the kidney survival rate in 239 patients with IgA nephritis without nephrotic syndrome. The morphological and clinical parameters were subjected to multivariate analysis in order to examine their significance with regard to the prognosis. The interstitial fibrosis was proven to be the most important morphological parameter, and the most important clinical parameters were the serum creatinine concentration and the creatinine clearance.     

Long-term study of mycophenolate mofetil as continuous induction and maintenance treatment for diffuse proliferative lupus nephritis

Mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) and the sequential use of cyclophosphamide followed by azathioprine (CTX-AZA) demonstrate similar short-term efficacy in the treatment of diffuse proliferative lupus nephritis (DPLN), but MMF is associated with less drug toxicity. Results from an extended long-term study, with median follow-up of 63 mo, that investigated the role of MMF as continuous induction-maintenance treatment for DPLN are presented. Thirty-three patients were randomized to receive MMF, and 31 were randomized to the CTX-AZA treatment arm, both in combination with prednisolone. More than 90% in each group responded favorably (complete or partial remission) to induction treatment. Serum creatinine in both groups remained stable and comparable over time. Creatinine clearance increased significantly in the MMF group, but the between-group difference was insignificant. Improvements in serology and proteinuria were comparable between the two groups. A total of 6.3% in the MMF group and 10.0% of CTX-AZA-treated patients showed doubling of baseline creatinine during follow-up (P = 0.667). Both the relapse-free survival and the hazard ratio for relapse were similar between MMF- and CTX-AZA-treated patients (11 and nine patients relapsed, respectively) and between those with MMF treatment for 12 or >/=24 mo. MMF treatment was associated with fewer infections and infections that required hospitalization (P = 0.013 and 0.014, respectively). Four patients in the CTX-AZA group but none in the MMF group reached the composite end point of end-stage renal failure or death (P = 0.062 by survival analysis). It is concluded that MMF and prednisolone constitute an effective continuous induction-maintenance treatment for DPLN in Chinese patients.     

Successful relatively low-dose corticosteroid therapy for diclofenac-induced acute interstitial nephritis with severe renal failure

We report a case of nephrotic syndrome and acute renal failure that developed in a 73-year-old woman after six months of treatment with the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) diclofenac. Renal biopsy revealed interstitial nephritis and minimal change nephropathy. Despite discontinuation of treatment with diclofenac, she subsequently became anuric and required hemodialysis for progressive azotemia. Since her anuria was persistent, treatment with prednisone at a dose of 30 mg/day was started. With progressive increase in urine output after the initiation of corticosteroid treatment, a constant decrease in serum creatinine was observed along with improvement of creatinine clearance. In addition, the increased urinary excretion of beta2-microglobulin (beta2MG) and N-acetyl-beta-D-glucosaminidase (NAG) on admission was also improved during the treatment. Our findings suggest that corticosteroid treatment should be reserved for patients with the protracted deterioration of renal function even after discontinuation of offending trigger agents.     

Renal sarcoidosis with normal serum vitamin D and refractory hypercalcemia

Introduction

Sarcoidosis is a multi-system disorder characterized by non-caseating epithelioid granulomas in multiple organs. Renal involvement may usually occur as granulomatous interstitial nephritis, but renal failure is uncommon. We report a case of renal-limited sarcoidosis diagnosed by renal biopsy, associated with abnormal calcium metabolism.

Case presentation

A 30-year-old Caucasian male presented with unexplained renal function impairment and hypercalcemia. The patient did not have any history of kidney disease, cough, skin rash, dysuria, hematuria or any other symptoms. Physical examination was unremarkable. Serum creatinine was 2.2 mg/dl and serum calcium was 11.5 mg/dl. Serum intact parathyroid hormone level (12 pg/mL) was decreased. Serum angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE), 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D (1,alpha-25 vit D) and pre-proparathyroid hormone (PTHrP) levels and urinary calcium excretion were all in normal range. The renal biopsy showed severe interstitial nephritis with non-caseating granuloma. The patient was treated with prednisone with starting dose of 1 mg/kg. After 2 months of prednisone therapy, serum creatinine decreased. However, because of continued of hypercalcemia unresponsive to low calcium diet and prednisone, chloroquine was prescribed. Six months after the onset, the patient's serum creatinine is stable at 1.30 mg/dl, serum calcium is 10.8 mg/dl, and serum ACE and 1,alpha-25 vit D levels are in normal range. He does not have any signs of extra-renal relapse.

Conclusion

The mechanisms of abnormal calcium metabolism in this patient with renal-limited sarcoidosis are unclear.     

Interstitial nephritis and primary biliary cirrhosis: a new association?

Interstitial nephritis may be associated with a variety of auto-immune disorders, but there have been no reports among these of primary biliary cirrhosis. A patient presenting with sodium- and potassium-losing nephropathy due to interstitial nephritis was discovered to have primary biliary cirrhosis which was asymptomatic. Correction of the electrolyte abnormalities with sodium and potassium supplements had no effect on renal function, but creatinine clearance increased from 28 to 68 ml/minute during a seven-week course of prednisolone. The occurrence in primary biliary cirrhosis of other forms of renal tubular dysfunction, the frequent presence in both interstitial nephritis and primary biliary cirrhosis of multi-system involvement and the close temporal relationship in this patient, suggest that the two conditions were related.     

Chronic renal failure due to granulomatous interstitial nephritis in sarcoidosis: Response to corticosteroid therapy

Chronic renal failure due to granulomatous interstitial nephritis in sarcoidosis is a rare phenomenon, and its response to corticosteroid therapy is not well known. We report a patient with sarcoidosis who presented with chronic renal failure and hypercalcemia, but who did not exhibit nephrocalcinosis. Renal histology findings showed the presence of noncaseating granuloma and heavy interstitial nephritis. Although hypercalcemia was remarkably improved by corticosteroid therapy, chronic renal failure, due to interstitial fibrosis and scarring, remained unchanged. This case reinforces evidence supporting the effectiveness of corticosteroid therapy in granulomatous interstitial nephritis of sarcoidosis, and suggests the need for early initiation of the therapy to avoid permanent renal dysfunction.     

Treatment of idiopathic membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis with mycophenolate mofetil and steroids.

BACKGROUND: Treatment of adults with idiopathic membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis (IMPGN) is often unrewarding with approximately 60% of patients progressing to end-stage renal failure within 10 years. Although children with IMPGN may respond to steroid therapy, there is no significant benefit to treating adult IMPGN patients with immunosuppression. METHODS: Outcome measures in five patients with IMPGN who were treated with oral prednisolone and mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) (treatment group) were compared with six patients with IMPGN who did not receive immunosuppression (control group). RESULTS: There was no significant difference between either group in baseline clinical characteristics or systolic and diastolic blood pressure during observation. In the treatment group, there was a significant reduction in proteinuria from a baseline of 5.09 to 1.97 g/24 h (P = 0.003) at 6 months, 1.96 g/24 h (P = 0.003) at 12 months and 2.59 g/24 h (P = 0.015) at 18 months. There was no significant change in proteinuria over 18 months in the control group. Serum creatinine concentration and creatinine clearance did not change significantly over 18 months in the treatment group. In the control group, there were significant changes in serum creatinine and creatinine clearance over 18 months [baseline 103 to 159 micromol/l (P = 0.004) and baseline 108 to 67 ml/min (P > 0.001), respectively] when compared to baseline, although the differences were not significant when the two groups were compared directly. CONCLUSIONS: This preliminary study suggests that in the short term, the combination of MMF and prednisolone can significantly reduce proteinuria and may preserve renal function in patients with IMPGN.     

Renal granulomatous sarcoidosis: report of six cases

Six cases of chronic renal failure related to granulomatous renal sarcoidosis are reported and compared with data in the literature. The particular features of sarcoidosis granulomatous interstitial nephritis should be emphasised because presentation may be misleading. Renal failure usually presents with a rapidly progressive course, either isolated or associated with mild proteinuria and sterile leukocyturia, while extrarenal localisations may be absent. Diagnosis should be suspected on the basis of elevated or paradoxically normal serum calcium concentrations, due to increased plasma concentrations of calcitriol, while immunoreactive circulating parathormone concentrations are depressed. Calcitriol as well as angiotensin-converting enzyme could represent unregulated secretion products from granulomatous tissue and their plasma concentrations may roughly reflect activity of the disease. Early corticosteroid treatment dramatically improves renal function but long-term renal prognosis may be oblitered due to progressive chronic renal failure related to fibrosis scarring.