Renal involvement in chronic pulmonary tuberculosis.

Fifty indoor patients of chronic pulmonary tuberculosis were studied for renal involvement. There were 36 (72%) males and 14 (28%) females. Age of the patients was ranging from 16 to 70 years. Most of the patients were receiving treatment for tuberculosis for more than 1 year. Frequency of micturition and dysuria were the commonest symptoms observed. Urine smear for mycobacteria was negative in all patients however culture was positive in 6% patients. Renal biopsy was attempted in all patients but was successful in 35 patients. It revealed interstitial nephritis in 28.5%; amyloidosis in 17.1%, glomerulonephritis in 17.1%, tubercular pyelonephritis in 5.6%; pyelonephritis combined with amyloidosis in 8.5% patients. Non-specific changes were observed in 14.3% patients and in 8.5% patients tissue was inadequate for biopsy study.