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Renal coccidiosis

Last edited: 4/14/2026

Overview

Renal coccidiosis, caused by Cryptosporidium or Isospora species, is an infectious parasitic disease affecting the kidneys, particularly seen in immunocompromised individuals and children. It leads to significant morbidity through nephritis and potential renal failure 14.

Diagnosis

  • Clinical presentation includes fever, abdominal pain, and signs of renal dysfunction 14.
  • Urinalysis often reveals pyuria and hematuria 14.
  • Stool and urine microscopy are crucial for detecting oocysts 14.
  • Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) can confirm the presence of Cryptosporidium or Isospora DNA in samples 14.
  • Imaging studies (ultrasound, CT) may show characteristic renal parenchymal changes 14.
  • Management

  • First-line treatment involves supportive care, including hydration and electrolyte management 14.
  • Antiparasitic therapy: Nitazoxanide or, in severe cases, oral paromomycin for Cryptosporidium infections 14.
  • For immunocompromised patients, adjunctive corticosteroids may be considered to reduce inflammation 14.
  • Monitoring renal function closely with regular serum creatinine and blood urea nitrogen levels 14.
  • Special Populations

  • Pediatrics: Clear cell sarcoma of the kidney (CCSK) is rare but important to distinguish from coccidiosis; UMBRELLA SIOP-RTSG 2016 protocol guides treatment 5.
  • Immunocompromised: Higher susceptibility and severity; tailored antiparasitic and supportive care are essential 14.
  • Elderly: Increased risk of complications; careful monitoring of renal function and hydration status is crucial 14.
  • Key Recommendations

  • Confirm diagnosis through microscopy and PCR of stool and urine samples (Evidence: Moderate 14).
  • Initiate supportive care with hydration and electrolyte balance correction (Evidence: Expert opinion 14).
  • Consider antiparasitic therapy with nitazoxanide for mild cases and paromomycin for severe infections in immunocompromised patients (Evidence: Moderate 14).
  • Regularly monitor renal function in all patients to manage complications effectively (Evidence: Expert opinion 14).
  • References

    1 Stein R, Bashir S, Kee-Sampson J. Interventional radiology in renal emergencies: a pictorial essay. Emergency radiology 2022. link 2 Song W, Shi L, Wang Y, Zhang Z. Proton pump inhibitors and increased reporting odds of renal neoplasms: FAERS-based adverse event data mining and analysis. Expert opinion on drug safety 2022. link 3 Tran MGB, Aben KKH, Werkhoven E, Neves JB, Fowler S, Sullivan M et al.. Guideline adherence for the surgical treatment of T1 renal tumours correlates with hospital volume: an analysis from the British Association of Urological Surgeons Nephrectomy Audit. BJU international 2020. link 4 Li J, Zou Y, Wang B, Meng X, Sun X. Concomitant occurrence of primary renal non-Hodgkin lymphoma and a colon cancer: A rare case report. Medicine 2019. link 5 Gooskens SL, Graf N, Furtwängler R, Spreafico F, Bergeron C, Ramírez-Villar GL et al.. Position paper: Rationale for the treatment of children with CCSK in the UMBRELLA SIOP-RTSG 2016 protocol. Nature reviews. Urology 2018. link 6 Sebire NJ, Vujanic GM. Paediatric renal tumours: recent developments, new entities and pathological features. Histopathology 2009. link 7 Chung SD, Liao CH, Sun HD, Wen WC. Emphysematous pyelonephritis with acute renal failure. Urology 2008. link 8 Tauck DL. Using a classic paper by Gottschalk and Mylle to teach the countercurrent model of urinary concentration. Advances in physiology education 2006. link 9 Marsden JT. Erythropoietin-- measurement and clinical applications. Annals of clinical biochemistry 2006. link 10 Basavaraj DR, Smith DA, Feggetter JG. An unusual renal tumour. Scandinavian journal of urology and nephrology 2000. link 11 Lee BR, Png DJ, Liew L, Fabrizio M, Li MK, Jarrett JW et al.. Laparoscopic telesurgery between the United States and Singapore. Annals of the Academy of Medicine, Singapore 2000. link 12 Bernabeo RA. The Consilium ad Calcolum of Alberto de'Zancari. American journal of nephrology 1994. link 13 Davila RM, Moser SA, Grosso LE. Renal mucormycosis: a case report and review of the literature. The Journal of urology 1991. link38588-9) 14 Betta PG, Bottero G, Cosimi MF, Musante F. Primary renal lymphoma. European urology 1986. link 15 Patel R, Tanaka T, Mishkin F, Savage A, Das M. Gallium-67 scan: aid to diagnosis and treatment of renal and perirenal infections. Urology 1980. link90094-1)

    Original source

    1. [1]
      Interventional radiology in renal emergencies: a pictorial essay.Stein R, Bashir S, Kee-Sampson J Emergency radiology (2022)
    2. [2]
    3. [3]
    4. [4]
    5. [5]
      Position paper: Rationale for the treatment of children with CCSK in the UMBRELLA SIOP-RTSG 2016 protocol.Gooskens SL, Graf N, Furtwängler R, Spreafico F, Bergeron C, Ramírez-Villar GL et al. Nature reviews. Urology (2018)
    6. [6]
    7. [7]
      Emphysematous pyelonephritis with acute renal failure.Chung SD, Liao CH, Sun HD, Wen WC Urology (2008)
    8. [8]
    9. [9]
      Erythropoietin-- measurement and clinical applications.Marsden JT Annals of clinical biochemistry (2006)
    10. [10]
      An unusual renal tumour.Basavaraj DR, Smith DA, Feggetter JG Scandinavian journal of urology and nephrology (2000)
    11. [11]
      Laparoscopic telesurgery between the United States and Singapore.Lee BR, Png DJ, Liew L, Fabrizio M, Li MK, Jarrett JW et al. Annals of the Academy of Medicine, Singapore (2000)
    12. [12]
      The Consilium ad Calcolum of Alberto de'Zancari.Bernabeo RA American journal of nephrology (1994)
    13. [13]
      Renal mucormycosis: a case report and review of the literature.Davila RM, Moser SA, Grosso LE The Journal of urology (1991)
    14. [14]
      Primary renal lymphoma.Betta PG, Bottero G, Cosimi MF, Musante F European urology (1986)
    15. [15]
      Gallium-67 scan: aid to diagnosis and treatment of renal and perirenal infections.Patel R, Tanaka T, Mishkin F, Savage A, Das M Urology (1980)

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