Snakebite induced acute interstitial nephritis: report of a rare entity

Abstract

Snakebite induced acute renal failure continues to occur in many tropical areas of the world. Renal histological lesions other than acute tubular necrosis and acute cortical necrosis as the cause of acute renal failure are rare. Only 3 cases of acute interstitial nephritis in patients with snakebite induced acute renal failure have been previously reported. We report a patient with acute renal failure following viperine snakebite due to acute interstitial nephritis. After a prolonged oliguric phase, there was complete recovery of renal function without institution of steroids. Interstitial nephritis may result from a hypersensitivity reaction to some component of the snake venom.