Isoniazid-induced crescentic glomerulonephritis in a child with a positive tuberculin skin test

Minimal change disease related to rifampicin presenting with acute renal failure during treatment for latent tuberculosis infection: A case report

RATIONALE

The standard drugs used to treat tuberculosis are rifampicin and isoniazid. These agents are usually safe and inexpensive for short-term use in treatment of latent tuberculosis infection, but sometimes cause adverse renal effects, including minimal change disease (MCD).

PATIENT CONCERNS

Here, we report a 51-year-old woman with latent tuberculosis infection who developed nephrotic syndrome during treatment with rifampicin and isoniazid for 25 days.

DIAGNOSES

Renal biopsy findings were compatible with MCD, and she had no relevant medical history and was not taking other medications. A diagnosis of anti-tuberculosis drug- induced MCD was made. This is the first report of acute renal failure due to rifampicin and/or isoniazid-induced MCD.

INTERVENTIONS

After cessation of rifampicin and isoniazid, however, acute renal failure progressed and she was treated with temporary dialysis and oral prednisolone.

OUTCOMES

The patient achieved complete remission after cessation of rifampicin and isoniazid with steroid therapy.

LESSONS

This case demonstrates that rifampicin and/or isoniazid can cause nephrotic syndrome with acute renal failure during the first months of continuous latent tuberculosis therapy. Therefore, renal function and proteinuria should be monitored carefully in all patients taking rifampicin and isoniazid, especially during the first few months of therapy.

Rifampicin-induced acute kidney injury during the initial treatment for pulmonary tuberculosis: a case report and literature review

A 47-year-old man diagnosed with pulmonary tuberculosis was referred to our hospital. Rifampicin, isoniazid, pyrazinamide and ethambutol were administered, and the patient's symptoms promptly improved. On the 19th hospital day, he developed acute kidney injury with a fever and chills. Renal biopsy specimens indicated tubulointerstitial nephritis. Suspecting rifampicin-induced acute kidney injury, we discontinued the rifampicin and administered levofloxacin in its place. The patient's serum creatinine level subsequently gradually improved. We herein report this case and review eight cases reported in Japan. We found that the rifampicin toxicity appeared at both the initial administration and readministration. All eight patients presented with proteinuria.

Drug-induced glomerulopathies

Normal renal function depends upon an intact glomerular apparatus. Many drugs and chemicals are capable of damaging the glomerulus, causing its increased permeability to large molecules. Glomerular lesions are usually responsible for proteinuria and the nephrotic syndrome. This also holds true for the drug-induced glomerulopathies, of which membranous glomerulo-nephritis is the most frequent type of lesion encountered. Apart from this, several cases of different glomerular changes such as focal segmental glomerulosclerosis and crescentic glomerulonephritis have also been reported. The drug-induced glomerulopathies are probably immune mediated. This is, for instance, reflected in the fact that patients with drug-induced nephritic syndrome frequently have the HLA-B8 and DR3 antigens. In depth information is provided for the previously mentioned disorders.