Interstitial Kidney Disease

Question 1

Where does interstitial nephritis occur?

Answer 1

Inflammation of the space between cells and tubules (interstitium)

Question 2

2 types of interstitial nephritis:

Answer 2

1. acute interstitial nephritis

2. chronic tubulointerstitial nephritis

Question 3

Acute Interstitial Nephritis presentation

Answer 3

Acute kidney injury and hypertension

Other features:

• Rash
• Fever
• Eosinophelia

(there is acute inflammation of tubules and interstitium)

Question 4

What causes acute interstitial nephritis?

Answer 4

Hypersensitivity reaction to:

• Drugs (e.g. NSAIDs or ABx)
• Infection

Question 5

Management of acute interstitial nephritis:

Answer 5

Treating underlying cause

Steroids have a role in reducing inflammation and improving recovery

Question 6

What is chronic tubulointerstitial nephritis and how does it present:

Answer 6

Chronic tubulointerstitial nephritis involves chronic inflammation of:
- Tubules and interstitium

Presents with chronic kidney disease (CKD)

Question 7

What are potential causes for Chronic tubulointerstitial nephritis?

Answer 7

Large number of underlying causes categorised into:

• autoimmune
• Infectious
• Iatrogenic
• Granulomatous disease