Renal Tubular Dysfunction Associated With Tenofovir Therapy

Abstract

We describe 7 cases of renal tubular injury in HIV-infected patients receiving an antiretroviral regimen containing tenofovir. Our patients (5 women and 2 men) developed renal tubular dysfunction, with hypophosphatemia, normoglycemic glycosuria, proteinuria, and decrease of creatinine clearance. The first biologic signs of renal toxicity were observed after duration of tenofovir treatment from 5 weeks to 16 months, and they resolved less than 4 months after discontinuation of tenofovir. Six patients had a low body weight (<60 kg). Five patients received low doses of ritonavir, and 1 received didanosine. In 5 patients, the signs resolved with the discontinuation of only the tenofovir. A renal biopsy performed in 1 patient was consistent with tubulointerstitial injury. Proximal tubulopathy appears to be a rare adverse effect of long-term tenofovir therapy. In patients with low weight or mild preexisting renal impairment, regular monitoring of tubulopathy markers could lead to early detection of this dysfunction.