Glomerulonephritis associated with Hemophilus aphrophilus endocarditis

A 65 year old man developed endocarditis and septicemia due to Hemophilus aphrophilus, a Gram-negative coccobacillus. Renal rather than cardiac failure was the principal feature of his illness and renal biopsy was compatible with glomerulonephritis secondary to septicemia. Rapid recovery of renal function and improvement of the glomerular lesion followed antibiotic treatment of the septicemia. This case illustrates the renal damage that can occur in association with septicemia due to rarer infectious agents. As with more common organisms, specific antimicrobial therapy leads to rapid improvement of the nephropathy.