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Acute Interstitial Nephritis Induced by Citrullus Colocynthis
Shokoufeh Savaj1, Mohammad Ghaffari, Mohammad Amin Abbasi
1Department of Medicine, Firoozgar Hospital, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. ssavaj@hotmail.com.
Iranian Journal of Kidney Diseases
|October 18, 2017
Summary
Acute interstitial nephritis (AIN), a common cause of acute kidney injury, can be induced by herbal remedies. This case highlights Citrullus colocynthis as a potential cause of drug-induced AIN, necessitating cautious use.
Area of Science:
- Nephrology
- Pharmacology
- Herbal Medicine Research
Background:
- Acute interstitial nephritis (AIN) is a significant cause of acute kidney injury (AKI), accounting for 15-27% of kidney biopsies.
- Drug-induced AIN is the predominant form, commonly linked to antibiotics and NSAIDs.
Observation:
- A 31-year-old woman with thalassemia, diabetes mellitus, and hepatitis C developed flank pain and elevated creatinine.
- She had been consuming Citrullus colocynthis, a herbal remedy for diabetes and weight loss, for three months prior to admission.
Findings:
- Kidney biopsy confirmed AIN.
- The patient did not respond to steroid treatment and required hemodialysis, indicating severe kidney injury.
Implications:
- This case report identifies Citrullus colocynthis as a potential nephrotoxic agent causing AIN.
- Highlights the need for increased awareness and caution when using herbal remedies, particularly Citrullus colocynthis, in patients with pre-existing conditions.