Tuberculosis as a microbiologically proven etiology of membranous nephropathy and interstitial nephritis

Abstract

Secondary causes of membranous glomerulonephritis (GN) include systemic lupus erythematosus, other autoimmune diseases, neoplasms, and infections such as hepatitis B and C viruses, syphilis, and parasites. The association of tuberculosis (TB) with membranous GN is rare. We report the first case of microbiologically proven tubercular interstitial nephritis and membranous nephropathy (MN) occurring concurrently in the same patient. The patient improved with the use of antitubercular therapy alone. TB should be recognized as a potentially treatable infectious cause of secondary MN.