Acute renal failure associated with immune restoration inflammatory syndrome.

BACKGROUND

A 30-year-old HIV-infected woman presented with fever and abdominal pain 4 days after initiation of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART), and 1 month after initiation of antimicrobial therapy for Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection. A diagnosis of immune restoration inflammatory syndrome (IRIS) was considered, and corticosteroids were started. Steroid therapy doses were progressively tapered, during which time the patient developed renal failure with enlarged kidneys. A renal biopsy showed acute interstitial nephritis. Extensive investigations failed to detect active infection. The efficacy of HAART was attested by increased CD4+ cell counts and undetectable viral replication.

INVESTIGATIONS: Physical examination, plasma viral load and CD4+ cell count, abdominal and renal ultrasound, renal and peritoneal biopsies, renal and liver function, chest X-ray, and bronchoalveolar lavage culture.

DIAGNOSIS: Acute renal failure secondary to IRIS.

MANAGEMENT: Prednisone therapy.