¹Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, New York, USA

Correspondence: GB Appel, Department of Medicine, Room 2124 Presbyterian Hospital, Columbia Medical Center, 622 West 168th St., New York, New York 10032. E-mail: gba2@columbia.edu

Abstract

Acute interstitial nephritis (AIN) is an uncommon form of acute renal failure that is usually medication related. Although the clinical features and renal histopathology are well recognized, therapy beyond discontinuing the offending drug has been a challenge. The use of corticosteroids, although supported by numerous small retrospective studies and anecdotal case reports, has been controversial. The study by González et al., although it has limitations, provides solid support for the early use of corticosteroids in the treatment of drug-related AIN.