Tubulointerstitial nephritis

[Lizzy Liz]

Tubulointerstitial nephritis is inflammation that affects the tubules of the kidneys and the tissues that surround them (interstitial tissue).

This disorder may be caused by diseases, drugs, and toxins that damage the kidneys.
People may have excessive urination, urinate at night, or have fever and/or a rash.
Laboratory tests of blood and urine are done as well as usually imaging tests and sometimes a kidney biopsy.
Stopping exposure to harmful drugs and toxins and treating underlying disorders improve kidney function.

(See also Overview of Kidney Filtering Disorders.)
Tubulointerstitial nephritis may be

Acute (sudden)
Chronic (gradual)

Tubulointerstitial nephritis often results in kidney failure (loss of most kidney function). It may be caused by various diseases, drugs, toxins, or radiation that damages the kidneys. Damage to the tubules results in changes in the amounts of electrolytes (for example, sodium and potassium) in the blood or in problems with the kidney