[Renal complications of Asiatic cholera]

Seventy cases of cholera were admitted to Hospital during 1973 cholera epidemic; 49 showed the symptoms of renal failure, 19 of whom with anuria. Acute renal failure is caused from hypertonic or isotonic dehydration, metabolic acidosis and potassium depletion. Clinically the pattern of a tubulo-interstitial nephritis can be found; a short oliguric or anuric phase followed by a poliuric phase lasting about 10 days. The glomerular function usually cames back to normal in 20 days time. As for the therapy, 16 of the above mentioned 19 anuric patients received a conservative treatment only; 3 patients with preexisting chronic nephropathy required peritoneal dialysis. Only one patient died and one patient with lupic nephropathy was put on chronic haemodialysis treatment. Concluding: 17 patients out of 19 completely recovered their renal function.