ABSTRACT
Sarcoidosis is a granulomatous multisystemic disorder of unknown origin that can affect the kidneys. Previous reports from Japan and Europe have indicated a link between Propionibacterium acnes infections and sarcoidosis. Here, we present the case of a 68-year-old woman with hypercalcemia and renal failure. A kidney biopsy was performed, which showed granulomatous tubulointerstitial nephritis with a large nonnecrotic nodule that contained mononuclear inflammatory cells and multinucleated giant cells. Subsequent immunohistochemical analysis revealed intracytoplasmic structures, which strongly indicated the presence of the P acnes antigen. Treatment with methylprednisolone ameliorated the patient's hypercalcemia and renal failure. This case report emphasizes the potential of chronic P acnes infection to cause sarcoidosis.
Subject(s)
Antigens, Bacterial/immunology , Kidney Diseases/immunology , Propionibacterium acnes/immunology , Sarcoidosis/immunology , Aged , Anti-Inflammatory Agents/therapeutic use , Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid/cytology , CD4-CD8 Ratio , Female , Humans , Kidney Diseases/drug therapy , Kidney Diseases/pathology , Prednisolone/therapeutic use , Sarcoidosis/drug therapy , Sarcoidosis/pathologyABSTRACT
A 73-year-old man was admitted with complaints of a 2-month history of generalized weakness and numbness. Laboratory examination revealed hypercalcemia, metabolic alkalosis, and kidney injury, similar to the traditional milk-alkali syndrome. The clinical history and the response to therapy indicated that alphacalcidol and thiazide taken daily were the cause. Recently, it has been recommended the term "milk-alkali syndrome" be replaced by "calcium-alkali syndrome", which broadens the definition of the condition. This case suggests that the calcium-alkali syndrome can occur without calcium and alkali, but rather with alphacalcidol and a thiazide diuretic.
