Differential Diagnosis for Interstitial Nephritis
Single Most Likely Diagnosis
- Acute Interstitial Nephritis (AIN) due to Medication: This is the most likely diagnosis, given that AIN is often caused by an allergic reaction to certain medications, such as NSAIDs, antibiotics, and diuretics. The patient's history of recent medication use would support this diagnosis.
Other Likely Diagnoses
- Sarcoidosis: An autoimmune disease that can cause interstitial nephritis, especially if the patient has other systemic symptoms such as lung involvement or skin lesions.
- Tubulointerstitial Nephritis and Uveitis (TINU) Syndrome: A rare condition that causes interstitial nephritis and uveitis, often in young women.
- Infection-related Interstitial Nephritis: Certain infections, such as pyelonephritis or viral infections, can cause interstitial nephritis.
Do Not Miss Diagnoses
- Lupus Nephritis: Although less common, systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) can cause interstitial nephritis, and missing this diagnosis could lead to significant morbidity and mortality.
- Vasculitis: Conditions like granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA) or microscopic polyangiitis can cause interstitial nephritis and are critical to diagnose due to their potential for severe organ damage.
Rare Diagnoses
- Hereditary Conditions: Certain genetic disorders, such as hereditary tubulointerstitial kidney disease, can cause interstitial nephritis, although these are relatively rare.
- Toxin-induced Interstitial Nephritis: Exposure to certain toxins, such as heavy metals or certain chemicals, can cause interstitial nephritis, but this would be less common and dependent on specific environmental exposures.