Korean J Med.  2013 Nov;85(5):526-529.

Corni Fructus-Induced Acute Interstitial Nephritis

• Jeon JM
• Park YK
• Jeon MY

Abstract

Drug-induced interstitial nephritis is one cause of acute kidney injury. Although traditional remedies have been widely used in South Korea, Corni fructus-induced interstitial nephritis has not been reported in the general population. A 65-year-old female patient was admitted with sudden onset of gross hematuria after ingesting Corni fructus tea for 2 weeks. Her initial lab findings showed a blood urea nitrogen level of 35.1 mg/dL, creatinine level of 1.7 mg/dL, albumin level of 4.5 g/dL, and hemoglobin level of 10.3 g/dL. Urinalysis revealed SG (1.025), blood (many), protein (+), and WBC (0-3/HPF). Her 24-hour total protein level was 1,120 mg/day. No specific abnormalities were found on serum and urine protein electrophoresis. Kidney biopsy demonstrated severe mononuclear cell infiltration into the renal interstitium with mild tubular atrophy and pericapsular fibrosis. Immediate withdrawal of Corni fructus, appropriate education, and conservative management resulted in gradual restoration of her renal function. This case implies that Corni fructus may be a causative allergen that induces acute interstitial nephritis in some patients.

Keyword

Corni fructus; Interstitial nephritis; Acute kidney injury

MeSH Terms

Acute Kidney Injury
Aged
Atrophy
Biopsy
Blood
Blood Urea Nitrogen
Cornus
Creatinine
Education
Electrophoresis
Female
Fibrosis
Hematuria
Hemoglobins
Humans
Kidney
Nephritis, Interstitial*
Pyridines
Republic of Korea
Tea
Thiazoles
Urinalysis
Urine
Creatinine
Hemoglobins
Pyridines
Tea
Thiazoles