Reversible renal failure caused by a microsporidian infection.

OBJECTIVE

To report a case of renal failure associated with microsporidian infection in an HIV-seropositive patient.

DESIGN

Case report.

SETTING

Chelsea and Westminster Hospital, London, England, UK.

PATIENT

An HIV-seropositive patient presented febrile with abdominal pain who developed renal failure. Renal biopsy and urinalysis showed infection with a microsporidian of the genus Encephalitozoon.

INTERVENTION

Treatment with albendazole (400 mg) twice daily was associated with disappearance of infection from the urine, clinical improvement and return of renal function virtually to normal.

CONCLUSION

HIV-seropositive individuals with renal failure should have urine screened for microsporidia. The administration of albendazole in such cases may reverse renal failure.