Glomerulonephritis associated with an infected ventriculo-atrial shunt

We present the case of a seven year old girl with a ventriculo-arterial shunt who developed haematuria and the nephrotic syndrome. Renal biopsy showed a diffuse proliferative glomerulonephritis of mesangiocapillary type. Cultures of blood, cerebrospinal fluid and later, the removed shunt, grew Staphylococcus epidermidis. Her renal function subsequently improved following antibiotic therapy and revision of the shunt.