Acute kidney injury due to oxalate nephropathy after star fruit ingestion

Abstract

Background: Great quantity of star fruit (Averrhoa carambola) ingestion, or even smaller amounts in a patient with an empty stomach, may induce acute kidney injury (AKI). Case Presentation: We report a 65-year-old male patient with underlying multiple myeloma and normal kidney function, who developed alterations of consciousness and rapid increase in serum creatinine due to oxalate nephropathy after large ingestion of star fruit on an empty stomach. Kidney biopsy revealed the diagnosis of oxalate nephropathy. Conclusions: AKI due to oxalate nephropathy after star fruit ingestion is relatively uncommon (only eight other reported cases) but there is an increasing evidence of AKI associated with intoxication by star fruit. This case alerts health professionals, nephrologists in particular, to a new disease that is increasingly better known and diagnosed more frequently

Keywords

• averrhoa carambola
• star fruit
• oxalate
• oxalate nephropathy
• acute kidney injury