T and B lymphocyte subsets in fenoprofen nephropathy

Renal failure due to combined acute interstitial nephritis and minimal-change glomerulopathy is reported in two patients after fenoprofen therapy. In the interstitial infiltrates, T lymphocytes predominated over B lymphocytes in a ratio of four to one. The majority of B lymphocytes present were IgE-bearing cells. Among the T cells, the ratio of cytotoxic/suppressor cells to helper-inducer cells was three to one. Repeated renal biopsy in one patient after steroid-induced clinical remission demonstrated resolution of the inflammatory infiltrate and restoration of normal glomerular foot processes. The theoretic and practical implications of these findings are discussed.