Korean J Nephrol.  2000 Nov;19(6):1159-1162.

A Case of Acyclovir Induced Acute Interstitial Nephritis

• Baek JY
• Kim EI
• Kim YO
• Choi YS
• Suh JP
• Kim JS
• Yoon SA
• Bang BK

Abstract

Acyclovir is a remarkably safe drug with potent antiviral effect against herpes virus. The two most serious adverse effects are neurotoxicity and nephrotoxicity. We here report the case of a 64-year old woman with acyclovir induced acute interstitial nephritis. She developed non-oliguric acute renal failure following the administration of oral acyclovir(800mg five times per day) to treat herpes zoster of left 2nd and 3rd thoracic nerves. We documented a normal serum creatinine level just before exposure to the drug. On admission, serum creatinine level was 2.4 mg/dL(baseline level; 0.8mg/dL). Percutaneous renal biopsy revealed interstitial infiltration of lymphocyte and eosinophil with interstitial edema, but there was no crystal formation in the tubules or collecting ducts. After withdrawal of the acyclovir, renal function returned to normal within 1 week.

Keyword

Acute interstitial nephritis; Acute renal failure; Acyclovir

MeSH Terms

Acute Kidney Injury
Acyclovir*
Biopsy
Creatinine
Edema
Eosinophils
Female
Herpes Zoster
Humans
Lymphocytes
Middle Aged
Nephritis, Interstitial*
Thoracic Nerves
Acyclovir
Creatinine