Tubulointerstitial nephritis; Nephritis - interstitial; Acute interstitial (allergic) nephritis

Interstitial nephritis can cause mild to severe kidney problems, including acute kidney failure. In about half of cases, people will have decreased urine output and other signs of acute kidney failure.

Symptoms of this condition may include:

• Blood in the urine
• Fever
• Increased or decreased urine output
• Mental status changes (drowsiness, confusion, coma)
• Nausea, vomiting
• Rash
• Swelling of the body, any area
• Weight gain (from retaining fluid)

An exam may show too much fluid under the skin or in the lungs (peripheral or pulmonary edema). The health care provider might hear abnormal sounds when listening to the heart or lungs with a stethoscope (auscultation). High blood pressure is common.

Common tests include:

• Arterial blood gases
• Blood chemistry
• BUN and blood creatinine levels
• Complete blood count
• Kidney biopsy
• Urinalysis
• Urine osmolality

Images

Male urinary system

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Interstitial nephritis Overview

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Interstitial nephritis Treatment

Review Date: 08/09/2009
Reviewed By: David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org)