Biomaterial Database

Legionnaires' disease associated with acute renal failure: a report of two cases and review of the literature. 1985

A Z Fenves

Renal involvement is a well described complication of Legionnaires' disease and is often manifested as mild, transient azotemia, hematuria, proteinuria, pyuria or cylinduria. Acute renal failure complicating Legionnaires' disease has also been described, and some patients have required hemodialysis. Renal morphology has only been described in a few cases. We report two cases of Legionnaires' disease who developed acute renal failure. The serotype of the Legionella pneumophilia isolated from one of the patients had never been isolated from humans before. This patient expired and at autopsy the kidney revealed acute tubular necrosis, but there was no evidence for interstitial or glomerular disease. Renal morphology in six previously reported cases revealed acute tubulointerstitial nephritis in three cases and acute tubular necrosis in the other three. We conclude that acute renal failure may accompany severe Legionnaires' disease, and the development of the renal failure is not related to hemodynamic factors, while nephrotoxic antibiotics may be a contributing factor.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D007668	Kidney	Body organ that filters blood for the secretion of URINE and that regulates ion concentrations.	Kidneys
D007683	Kidney Tubular Necrosis, Acute	Acute kidney failure resulting from destruction of EPITHELIAL CELLS of the KIDNEY TUBULES. It is commonly attributed to exposure to toxic agents or renal ISCHEMIA following severe TRAUMA.	Lower Nephron Nephrosis,Acute Kidney Tubular Necrosis,Lower Nephron Nephroses,Nephron Nephroses, Lower,Nephron Nephrosis, Lower,Nephroses, Lower Nephron,Nephrosis, Lower Nephron
D007875	Legionella	Gram-negative aerobic rods, isolated from surface water or thermally polluted lakes or streams. Member are pathogenic for man. Legionella pneumophila is the causative agent for LEGIONNAIRES' DISEASE.
D007877	Legionnaires' Disease	An acute, sometimes fatal, pneumonia-like bacterial infection characterized by high fever, malaise, muscle aches, respiratory disorders and headache. It is named for an outbreak at the 1976 Philadelphia convention of the American Legion.	Legionella pneumophila Infections,Infections, Legionella pneumophila,Legionnaire Disease,Pontiac Fever,Disease, Legionnaire,Disease, Legionnaires',Fever, Pontiac,Infection, Legionella pneumophila,Legionella pneumophila Infection,Legionnaire's Disease,Legionnaires Disease
D008168	Lung	Either of the pair of organs occupying the cavity of the thorax that effect the aeration of the blood.	Lungs
D008297	Male		Males
D008875	Middle Aged	An adult aged 45 - 64 years.	Middle Age
D010996	Pleural Effusion	Presence of fluid in the pleural cavity resulting from excessive transudation or exudation from the pleural surfaces. It is a sign of disease and not a diagnosis in itself.	Effusion, Pleural,Effusions, Pleural,Pleural Effusions
D006801	Humans	Members of the species Homo sapiens.	Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D058186	Acute Kidney Injury	Abrupt reduction in kidney function. Acute kidney injury encompasses the entire spectrum of the syndrome including acute kidney failure; ACUTE KIDNEY TUBULAR NECROSIS; and other less severe conditions.	Acute Kidney Failure,Acute Kidney Insufficiency,Acute Renal Failure,Acute Renal Injury,Acute Renal Insufficiency,Kidney Failure, Acute,Kidney Insufficiency, Acute,Renal Failure, Acute,Renal Insufficiency, Acute,Acute Kidney Failures,Acute Kidney Injuries,Acute Kidney Insufficiencies,Acute Renal Failures,Acute Renal Injuries,Acute Renal Insufficiencies,Kidney Failures, Acute,Kidney Injuries, Acute,Kidney Injury, Acute,Kidney Insufficiencies, Acute,Renal Failures, Acute,Renal Injuries, Acute,Renal Injury, Acute,Renal Insufficiencies, Acute