Acute tubulointerstitial nephritis following ingestion of Chlorella tablets

Pediatr Nephrol. 2007 Jun;22(6):887-8. doi: 10.1007/s00467-006-0420-z. Epub 2007 Feb 2.

Abstract

Here, we report on a boy with acute tubulointerstitial nephritis (ATIN), who developed it following ingestion of Chlorella tablets as a food supplement. He was incidentally detected to have glucosuria, proteinuria, and leukocyturia during school mass screening. He had had a history of ingestion of Chlorella tablets for 3 months. Laboratory studies showed anemia, increased levels of creatinine, decreased glomerular filtration rate (GFR), hypokalemia, hypo-uricemia, hypophosphatemia, hypergammaglobulinemia, proteinuria, leukocyturia, and glucosuria. ATIN was diagnosed by renal biopsy. The patient's renal function improved after initiation of corticosteroid therapy and discontinuation of Chlorella for 6 months. Chlorella may be a causative allergen inducing tubulointerstitial injury in kidney.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Acute Disease
  • Child
  • Chlorella* / chemistry
  • Dietary Supplements / adverse effects*
  • Glucocorticoids / therapeutic use
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Nephritis, Interstitial / chemically induced*
  • Nephritis, Interstitial / pathology
  • Nephritis, Interstitial / physiopathology
  • Plant Extracts / adverse effects*
  • Poisoning / drug therapy
  • Poisoning / etiology
  • Poisoning / pathology
  • Prednisolone / therapeutic use
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Glucocorticoids
  • Plant Extracts
  • Prednisolone