title: A clinical description of rifampicin-induced acute renal failure in 170 consecutive cases.
abstract: Rifampicin re-administration may cause immunologically mediated acute tubulo-interstitial injury. Retrospectively, 170 consecutive cases with acute renal failure (ARF) following re-treatment with rifampicin (71% males, 29% females, age 21 to 68 years) were analysed, which accounted for 12% of all ARF patients treated by two large dialysis referral centres in Romania, Timisoara and Iasi, between 1974-2001 and 1988-2001, respectively. The most frequent clinical features of rifampicin-induced ARF were: Anuria, gastro-intestinal (abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea) and "flu-like" symptoms. Urine analysis revealed sterile leucocyturia in 54%, proteinuria in 31%, haematuria in 26% and haemoglobinuria in 7% of cases. Haemolytic anaemia was frequent, found in 66% of the patients; half of these had Hct values of < 30%, thrombocytopenia and also more severe renal damage (a longer anuric phase and a slower recovery of the renal function), thus suggesting a severe multi-target autoimmune aggression. The association of hepatic injury--not explained by prior hepatic disease, B or C hepatitis virus infection or history of alcohol abuse--was encountered in 17% of the cases, without a significant influence on the renal and the general outcome. The outcome of rifampicin-induced ARF is generally favourable, with complete recovery of the renal function within 30 days in 52% of the cases and within 90 days in 92% of the cases. The mortality rate was 3.5%, compared to 21% for the overall ARF population treated during the same period (p < 0.05).
authors.affiliation: CI Parhon Hospital, Iasi, Romania.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Covic
authors.forename: O
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Golea
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Segall
authors.forename: Srinath
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Meadipudi
authors.forename: Liliana
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Munteanu
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Nicolicioiu
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Tudorache
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Covic
authors.forename: D J A
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Goldsmith
mesh_terms: D058186:Acute Kidney Injury / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000743:Anemia, Hemolytic / Q000453:epidemiology; D000904:Antibiotics, Antitubercular / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007194:India / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012293:Rifampin / Q000009:adverse effects*
chemical_list: D000904:Antibiotics, Antitubercular; D012293:Rifampin