Two Cases of Acute Focal Bacterial Nephritis With Central Nervous System Manifestations in Children and Literature Review

Clin Pediatr (Phila). 2023 Nov;62(11):1385-1389. doi: 10.1177/00099228231159060. Epub 2023 Mar 12.

Abstract

Acute focal bacterial nephritis (AFBN) is a kidney disease characterized by a localized bacterial infection that manifests as an inflammatory mass. Most children with AFBN have nonspecific symptoms including fever, vomiting, and abdominal discomfort, and some develop neurological symptoms such as meningeal irritation, unconsciousness, and seizures as their condition worsens. This was 2 cases of AFBN with central nervous system manifestations in children, and we analyzed its possible mechanisms of the clinical and radiographic features. We experience 2 very unusual cases of AFBN which were linked to central nervous system abnormalities. A 6-year-old boy with AFBN and clinically moderate ncephalitis/encephalopathy with a reversible splenial lesion (MERS) presented with neurological symptoms, including unconsciousness and convulsions. The second case involved an 8-year-old child with AFBN-associated acute encephalopathy who exhibited neurological symptoms, including unconsciousness. According to previous research, AFBN is linked to central nervous system impairment. As a result, when a clinician meets a patient with an inexplicable fever caused by a neurological condition, he should pay attention to this diagnosis of AFBN and follow it in the abdominal graph.

Keywords: acute encephalopathy; acute focal bacterial nephritis (AFBN); central nervous system (CNS); clinically mild encephalitis/encephalopathy with a reversible splenial lesion (MERS); pediatrics.

Publication types

  • Review
  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Bacterial Infections* / complications
  • Brain Diseases* / complications
  • Central Nervous System / pathology
  • Child
  • Fever / etiology
  • Humans
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Male
  • Nephritis* / diagnosis
  • Nephritis* / microbiology
  • Nephritis* / pathology
  • Seizures
  • Unconsciousness / complications