Genitourinary Tuberculosis – A Reversible Cause of Dialysis-dependent Acute Kidney Injury

Abstract

Tuberculosis is the most common infectious cause of death in our country. Genitourinary tuberculosis accounts for 30%–40% of extrapulmonary tuberculosis cases. Patients usually lack specific presenting complaints. The lack of specific symptoms, indolent course of the infection, delay in diagnosis, and increasing multidrug resistance can lead to serious and irreversible complications including renal damage, urinary strictures, and infertility. We report the case of a patient who presented with severe metabolic acidosis and azotaemia requiring dialysis. Although the urine tested negative for acid-fast bacilli, renal aspirate pus sent for cartridge-based nucleic acid amplification test tested positive. Following appropriate management, the patient showed significant clinical improvement and was discharged with a serum creatinine of 2.6 mg/dL without the need for further dialysis.