Aim: This retrospective study examined the clinical presentation and outcome of all patients who presented with acute kidney injury (AKI) following consumption of uncooked fish gallbladder as folk medicine.
Methods: We reviewed all cases admitted at our institute between 1 January 1997 and 31 December 2016 following ingestion of fish gallbladder (Indian carp/Labeo rohita).
Results: A total 32 of patients were included, with a male: female ratio of 3:1 and mean age 44.34 ± 13.33 years. The mean number of gall bladder consumed was 4.59 ± 4.75. All 32 patients presented with hepatic and renal failure. The mean duration of onset of symptoms following ingestion was 6.47 ± 2.84 h. At the time of admission, urine output was 187.9 ± 141 mL/24 h, serum creatinine 11.66 ± 2.50 mg/dL, serum bilirubin 6.14 ± 3.91 mg/dL, serum glutamate-pyruvate transaminase (SGPT) 687 ± 458 IU/L and serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (SGOT) 188 ± 181 IU/L. All but one patient required haemodialysis. Twenty-seven patients were discharged with recovering acute kidney injury while five patients died. Mean duration of hospital stay was 12.94 ± 8.31 days. Mean number of haemodialysis sessions received by patients was 4.59 ± 3.12. Interval between consumption and onset of symptoms, serum bilirubin and SGPT were found to be significantly different between those who survived and died.
Conclusion: Acute kidney injury associated with ingestion of raw fish gallbladder is associated with significant morbidity and mortality.
Keywords: Indian carp; acute kidney injury; acute tubular necrosis; fish; folk medicine; gallbladder.
© 2017 Asian Pacific Society of Nephrology.