ASN's Mission

To create a world without kidney diseases, the ASN Alliance for Kidney Health elevates care by educating and informing, driving breakthroughs and innovation, and advocating for policies that create transformative changes in kidney medicine throughout the world.

learn more

Contact ASN

1401 H St, NW, Ste 900, Washington, DC 20005

email@asn-online.org

202-640-4660

The Latest on X

Kidney Week

Please note that you are viewing an archived section from 2019 and some content may be unavailable. To unlock all content for 2019, please visit the archives.

Abstract: TH-PO122

Acute Interstitial Nephritis After Treatment with the Human Anti-CD20 Antibody Ocrelizumab: First Case Report

Session Information

Category: Acute Kidney Injury

  • 102 AKI: Clinical, Outcomes, and Trials

Author

  • Alhalabi, Hassan, Dallas Nephrology Associates, Irving, Texas, United States
Introduction

Acute interstitial nephritis (AIN) is an important cause of acute kidney injury and is commonly caused by drugs. Ocrelizumab, a humanized anti-CD20 antibody, was recently approved as a treatment for primary progressive and relapsing multiple sclerosis. Here we report a patient who developed severe AIN requiring hemodialysis after receiving Ocrelizumab.

Case Description

A 64-year-old female with a history of diabetes and hypertension received the first infusion of Ocrelizumab 300 mg for multiple sclerosis. One week later she presented to the emergency room complaining of fatigue and generalized weakness. Laboratory findings were significant for a creatinine of 5.5 mg/dL (was 0.9 mg/dL a few days prior). Her creatinine continued to increase to 10 mg/dL on hospital day 4 requiring initiation of hemodialysis. Urinalysis showed moderate blood, +3 protein, 21 RBC’s, 11 WBC’s. Serologic work-up included a normal C3, C4, ANA, ANCA, anti-GBM, and SPEP/UPEP. Renal ultrasound was normal. A kidney biopsy was performed which demonstrated a moderate mixed interstitial infiltrate with many eosinophils, in a background of interstitial edema. The tubules were dilated and showed significant degenerative changes in tubular epithelial cells, with intratubular calcium oxalate crystals and intratubular degenerative debris. No viral inclusions were seen and there was minimal to mild interstitial fibrosis. The patient was started on oral prednisone 60 mg daily with a subsequent slow taper. Renal function significantly improved with the creatinine trending down to 2.4 mg/dL two weeks later on clinic follow-up.

Discussion

Ocrelizumab, a humanized anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody, was recently approved for the treatment of primary progressive and relapsing multiple sclerosis. To our knowledge, this is the first report of severe AIN associated with an anti-CD20 antibody. In this case, the patient responded well to treatment with high dose steroids. Our report highlights the need to monitor patients closely for potential renal toxicities that may be associated with such medications.