Microfilariae in the kidney

Abstract

Filariasis is an important public health problem in India, and 40% of the worldwide disease burden is borne by India. Renal involvement occurs as chyluria, hematuria, proteinuria, and an immune complex-mediated glomerulonephritis. Here, we present an unusual case who presented with sepsis (secondary to pneumonia) with acute kidney injury, hematuria, and proteinuria. Histopathology of the kidney revealed microfilariae in the peritubular capillaries, although no microfilariae were detected in the peripheral blood film.