Acute renal failure due to glomerulonephritis associated with staphylococcal infection

Acute renal failure developed in a diabetic with staphylococcal arthritis and septicaemia in the absence of endocarditis. Renal biopsy showed proliferative glomerulonephritis and there was evidence of alternative pathway of complement activation. Renal function recovered following haemodialysis for 2 months. The association of glomerulonephritis with staphylococcal infection is reviewed.