Acute interstitial nephritis following ampicillin hypersensitivity.

A case of acute anuric renal failure following hypersensitivity to ampicillin is presented. Renal biopsy showed severe interstitial nephritis. Treatment with prednisolone and heparin, together with supportive measures and peritoneal dialysis, was followed by rapid recovery of renal function. It is concluded that hypersensitivity to ampicillin can cause acute interstitial nephritis, analogous to that seen with penicillin and methicillin.