Exposure of Thomsen-Friedenreich Antigen on the Renal Tubules of a Patient with Capnocytophaga Infection-induced Acute Kidney Injury

Infections with neuraminidase-producing bacteria can lead to acute kidney injury (AKI). We herein report a 74-year-old woman who developed AKI in the course of Capnocytophaga infection, a neuraminidaseproducing bacterium. A renal biopsy showed tubulointerstitial injury accompanied by specific binding of fluorescence-conjugated peanut lectin to the tubular epithelial cells, suggesting exposure of ThomsenFriedenreich antigen (T-antigen) on the tubules. Although AKI is often observed in patients infected with Capnocytophaga, little is known about its etiology and associated pathology. This case suggests that tubulointerstitial injury caused by neuraminidase production and resultant T-antigen exposure is a mechanism of Capnocytophaga infection-induced AKI.

Automated summary

Infections with neuraminidase-producing bacteria, such as Capnocytophaga, can cause acute kidney injury (AKI) due to tubulointerstitial damage caused by neuraminidase production and subsequent exposure of T-antigen on the tubular cells.