[Acute tubulointerstitial nephritis with uveitis]

Clinical features and natural course of acute tubulointerstial nephritis and uveitis (TINU syndrome) in five adolescent patients (3 girls and 2 boys), are presented. Initial nonspecific symptoms preceding nephropathy were anorexia, weight loss, fever and malaise. Inflammatory syndrome consisted of increased ESR, high plasma proteins and gamma globulins. Analysis of urine showed proteinuria and sterile leukocyturia. Laboratory features of tubular dysfunction and decreased GFR were found in all patients. Renal biopsy, which was performed in 2 pts, revealed acute interstitial nephritis. Anterior uveitis which appeared later, was successfully treated with topical steroids. Renal function completely recovered within a few month in four pts and markedly improved in one. Despite the fact that renal biopsy was not performed in all children, the combination of an acute nonoliguric renal failure without hypertension and signs of tubular dysfunction together with particular benign course, suggested acute idiopathic TINU syndrome.