title: Acute interstitial nephritis induced by Dioscorea quinqueloba.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The use of herbal medicine may be a risk factor for the development of kidney injury, as it has been reported to cause various renal syndromes. Dioscorea quinqueloba is a medicinal herb that is used as an alternative therapy for cardiovascular disease and various medical conditions.
  
  
  METHODS
  A 52-year-old man was admitted with complaints of skin rash and burning sensation. He had ingested a raw extract of D. quinqueloba as a traditional remedy. Laboratory tests revealed the following values: absolute eosinophil count, 900/mm(3); serum creatinine level, 2.7 mg/dL; and blood urea nitrogen, 33.0 mg/dL. The immunoglobulin E level was markedly increased at 1320.0 IU/mL. Urinalysis revealed a fractional excretion of sodium of 3.77%, protein 1+, and blood 3+. Histological examination of the renal biopsy specimen showed a diffusely edematous interstitium with infiltrates composed of eosinophils, lymphocytes, and neutrophils.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Here, we present the first reported case of biopsy-proven acute interstitial nephritis following ingestion of D. quinqueloba associated with skin rash, eosinophilia, and increased plasma immunoglobulin E level.
authors.forename: Ha Yeon
authors.initials: HY
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Sung Sun
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Soo Hyeon
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Bae
authors.forename: Eun Hui
authors.initials: EH
authors.lastname: Bae
authors.forename: Seong Kwon
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Ma
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Chonnam National University Medical School, 42 Jebongro, Gwangju 501-757, Korea. skimw@chonnam.ac.kr.
authors.forename: Soo Wan
authors.initials: SW
authors.lastname: Kim
mesh_terms: D058186:Acute Kidney Injury / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000175:diagnosis*; D027742:Dioscorea; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009395:Nephritis, Interstitial / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000175:diagnosis*; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000009:adverse effects*
chemical_list: D010936:Plant Extracts