Rifampin Induced Rapidly Progressive Glomerulonephritis / 대한신장학회잡지

ABSTRACT

Most cases of acute renal failure induced by rifampin are due to acute tubulointerstitial nephritis and usually resolve spontaneously after discontinuation of rifampin. But there were a few reports that rifampin could cause crescentic glomerulonephritis. We present a 67 year-old male patient who has suffered from pulmonary tuberculosis and taken antituberculosis drugs including rifampin. The medication was interrupted two times because of anorexia and nausea. Azotemia, lower extremity edema and palpable purpura on both legs developed after administering antituberculosis drugs for two months. We performed the skin and kidney biopsy. The skin biopsy showed necrotizing vasculitis and kidney biopsy showed crescentic IgA nephropathy. He was tentatively diagnosed as rifampin induced rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis and underlying Henoch-Sch nlein purpura. The antituberculosis regimen was switched excluding rifampin and prednisolone was administered orally. His renal function was improved slowly over 4 months.