Abstract: PO0322
Rifampin-Induced Hemolysis Resulting in Pigment Nephropathy
Session Information
- AKI: Clinical Case Reports
November 04, 2021 | Location: On-Demand, Virtual Only
Abstract Time: 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Category: Acute Kidney Injury
- 103 AKI: Mechanisms
Authors
- Portalatin, Gilda Melissa, Cleveland Clinic Florida, Weston, Florida, United States
- Shettigar, Shruti, Cleveland Clinic Florida, Weston, Florida, United States
- Medikayala, Sushma, Cleveland Clinic Florida, Weston, Florida, United States
- Herlitz, Leal C., Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio, United States
- Gebreselassie, Surafel K., Cleveland Clinic Florida, Weston, Florida, United States
- Bobart, Shane A., Cleveland Clinic Florida, Weston, Florida, United States
Introduction
Rifampin is an antibiotic that is a key component of multidrug regimens used to treat mycobacterial infections. The toxicity profile including hepatotoxicity is relatively well known, however some other complications including hemolysis, is a rare side effect. Pigment nephropathy is an abrupt decline in renal function as a consequence of the toxic action of endogenous heme-containing pigment on the kidney. We present a case of pigment nephropathy in the setting of rifampin-induced hemolysis requiring renal replacement therapy.
Case Description
A 74 year old female with a history of bronchiectasis, cavitary lung lesion due to pulmonary nocardiosis, mycobacterium avium-intracellulare infection (MAI) and atrial fibrillation presented with multi-organ dysfunction and anuria while recently restarting rifampin, azithromycin and ethambutol for the treatment of MAI infection.
Key laboratory findings were a serum creatinine of 3.7 mg/dL and BUN 62 up from a baseline creatinine of 0.65 mg/dL with severe thrombocytopenia, platelet count 36 k/µL and hemoglobin of 10.4g/dL. This coupled with liver dysfunction evidenced by INR 1.4, indirect bilirubin 6.2 mg/dL, AST 1311 U/L, ALT 506 U/L, elevated lactate dehydrogenase 2074 U/L, low haptoglobin 16 mg/dL, gave an initial suspected diagnosis of thrombotic microangiopathy (TMA). Peripheral blood smear revealed few schistocytes. Negative ADAMTS13 antibody and a low PLASMIC score guided us not to initiate plasmapharesis.
Serological work up including ANA, dsDNA, ANCA were negative, while C3 was low at 76 mg/dL and C4 14 mg/dL. The patient remained anuric and was initiated on hemodialysis. As the platelet count improved, she underwent kidney biopsy showing diffuse acute tubular injury with prominent pigmented casts. Immunofluorescence was negative without any evidence of TMA. After approximately two months of dialysis, renal function recovered back to serum creatinine of 1.14 mg/dL and the patient no longer required hemodialysis.
Discussion
Rifampin induced hemolysis is rare complication but can mimic TMA and cause renal dysfunction due to pigment nephropathy. Nephrologists should be aware of this possible rare complication of rifampin therapy.