A rare concurrence of acute tubular necrosis and chronic glomerular sclerosis in a patient with wasp stings

Heliyon. 2024 Jul 9;10(14):e34353. doi: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e34353. eCollection 2024 Jul 30.

Abstract

Wasp venom injections from wasp stings can damage several organs, most commonly the kidneys. Despite literature evidence, wasp sting-induced acute kidney injury (AKI) is rare and involves complex pathophysiological processes. While acute tubular necrosis (ATN) is the most prevalent histological result of wasp sting-induced AKI, uncommon combinations of chronic renal lesions have been described, alerting us to the patient's underlying illness. We report a 55-year-old hypertensive patient with unknown renal function who got AKI following multiple wasp stings. His renal function had not improved after continuous hemodialysis and plasma exchange; therefore, a kidney biopsy was performed. The pathology revealed that in addition to ATN, his kidney's distinguishing feature was a mix of chronic interstitial renal disease and chronic glomerulosclerosis. We think that his current renal pathological results were caused by hypertension in addition to wasp venom.

Keywords: Case report; Kidney injury; Toxins; Wasp stings.

Publication types

  • Case Reports