Drug induced tubulo-interstitial nephritis at King Khalid National Guard Hospital, Jeddah

Abstract EN

Acute tubulo-interstitial nephritis (TIN) is a well known complication of many drugs such as antibiotics, diuretics, non-steroidal antiinflammatory drugs, therapeutic agents, and chemicals such lithium and platinum.

It is characterized by a triad of rash, fever and eosinophilia.

We present here the clinical features and management outcome of 8 cases encountered in our hospital over the last 5 years.

Antibiotics were the inducing agent in 6 of the 8 cases, while the remaining two cases were induced by frusemide and lithium.

The most common inducing antibiotic in our area was amoxycillin (4/8 cases).

A case of drug-induced TIN by cefotaxime was encountered in the study, which we believe to the best of our knowledge is the first report of druginduced TIN by this antibiotic.

All the patients made excellent recovery by the withdrawal of the inducing drug, steroid therapy and dialysis in some cases.

A high index of suspicion is required to make an early diagnosis and to prevent renal damage.

Clinical diagnosis can be confirmed by renal biopsy.