Acute anuric renal failure secondary to intravenous immunoglobulin in diabetic nephropathy

We present a case of acute renal failure in a diabetic patient who received intravenous immumoglobulin therapy. Vigam liquid immunoglobulin was used successfully to treat vancomycin induced toxic epidermal necrolysis, but 4 days later the patient became anuric. Renal function was restored after haemofiltration. Immunoglobulin therapy is used to treat immune-mediated conditions, many of which affect the diabetic population. Renal failure is a rare side effect of immunoglobulin in patients with diabetes and impaired renal function, of which many clinicians are unaware. Caution must be exercised in such patients and the risks of immunoglobulin treatment weighed against the benefits. (c) 2006 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.