A case of cimetidine-induced acute tubulointerstitial nephritis associated with antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody

Am J Kidney Dis. 1999 Feb;33(2):E7. doi: 10.1016/s0272-6386(99)70328-8.

Abstract

We present a case of acute tubulointerstitial nephritis (ATIN) that developed in a 63-year-old man who had been taking cimetidine for treatment of a gastric ulcer. The constellation of clinical, laboratory, and histopathologic findings suggested drug-induced ATIN. Of interest, the patient had antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA) in his sera, reactive with myeloperoxidase, elastase, and lactoferrin. Prominent renal histological features included marked plasmacyte infiltration into the renal interstitium. Withdrawal of cimetidine resulted in complete resolution of renal findings, and the titers of ANCA concomitantly declined. Thus, cimetidine may have played a causative role in the development of ANCA-associated ATIN.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Anti-Ulcer Agents / adverse effects*
  • Antibodies, Antineutrophil Cytoplasmic / analysis*
  • Cimetidine / adverse effects*
  • Humans
  • Kidney / pathology
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Nephritis, Interstitial / chemically induced*
  • Nephritis, Interstitial / diagnosis
  • Nephritis, Interstitial / immunology
  • Stomach Ulcer / drug therapy

Substances

  • Anti-Ulcer Agents
  • Antibodies, Antineutrophil Cytoplasmic
  • Cimetidine