Tubulointerstitial nephritis and uveitis: report of a rare syndrome

Tubulointerstitial nephritis and uveitis (TINU) is a rare syndrome with unknown pathogenesis. Data have shown a higher prevalence in female gender. We present a man with tubulointerstitial nephritis and uveitis syndrome and antitubular antibody. A 23-year-old man presented with a history of weight loss, nausea, and vomiting, and uveitis. His serum creatinine was 2.1mg/d with pyuria and proteinuria in urinalysis. Other laboratory and imaging studies were unremarkable. Kidney biopsy showed granulomatous interstitial nephritis. Normal renal tissue specimen treated with patient's serum showed focal cytoplasmic staining in cortical tubular cells. The patient received prednisolone for 1 month. Interstitial nephritis and uveitis were well controlled. There was no recurrence in 1-year follow-up. We suggest that tubulointerstitial nephritis and uveitis syndrome should be considered in differential diagnosis of patients with interstitial nephritis and uveitis. Antitubular antibody may be used as a diagnosis marker for this syndrome.