Filarial Nephropathy – A Rare Presentation of Nephrotic Syndrome with Acute Kidney Injury
Keywords:
Microfilariae, Nephrotic syndrome, Acute kidney injury
Abstract
We present a case report of a 56-year-old male who presented with nephrotic syndrome and rapidly progressive
renal failure. Kidney biopsy was done after 2 sessions of hemodialysis and it showed microfilariae in the
glomerular capillaries with an acute tubular injury. The patient responded very well with a 2-week course of
Diethylcarbamazine. A high index of suspicion and diligent screening of the kidney biopsy sections for filarial
nephropathy is indispensable in endemic areas and would help in avoiding empirical immunosuppression.
Financial support and sponsorship: Nil.
Conflicts of interest: There are no conflicts of interest.
References
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2. Prakash G.K., Vankalakunti M, Ballal HS. Microfilaria associated macroscopic hematuria and nephrotic range proteinuria. Indian J Nephrol 2016; 26:302–3.
3. Dissanayke S, Galahitiyawa SC, Ismail MM. Immune complexes in Wuchereria bancrofti infection in man. Bulletin of the World Health Organisation 1982; 60:919-27.
4. Prasad GBKS, Reddy MV, Harinath BC. Immune complexes and immunoglobulins involved in human filariasis. Indian Journal of Med Research 1983; 77:813-6.
5. Pakasa NM, Nseka NM, Nyimi LM. Secondary collapsing glomerulopathy associated with Loa loa filariasis. Am J Kidney Dis. 1997; 30(6):836-839.
6. Ramchandra R, Jha V. Nematode Infections. In. Neil Turner N, Goldsmith D, Winearls C, Lamierre N, Himmelfarb J, Remuzzi G. Oxford Textbook of Clinical Nephrology. 4th Ed.
Oxford University Press. 2005; 1P.1602-3.
7. Neilson EG. Pathogenesis and therapy of interstitional nephritis. Kidney International. 1989; 35, 1257-1270.
8. J. Langharnrner, H. -W. Birkl and H. Zahner. Renal disease in lymphatic filariasis: evidence for tubular and glomerular disorders at various stages of the infection Tropical Medicine and International Health. 1997 Vol Z No 9 PP 875-884.
9. A, John TJ, Chandy KG, et al. Abnormalities of the immune system in patients with chyluria. Br J Urol 1981;53:384–6.
Published
2020-02-25
How to Cite
Sachin Nikam, Hardik Shah, Dilip Kirpalani, Ashok Kirpalani. (2020). Filarial Nephropathy – A Rare Presentation of Nephrotic Syndrome with Acute Kidney Injury. The Indian Practitioner, 73(2), 35-36. Retrieved from https://articles.theindianpractitioner.com/index.php/tip/article/view/929
Section
Case Reports
