Systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) and a left bundle branch block (LBBB) due to nitrofurantoin

BMJ Case Rep. 2017 May 22:2017:bcr2016218127. doi: 10.1136/bcr-2016-218127.

Abstract

We present a case of a 74-year-old woman, who was on nitrofurantoin treatment for urinary tract infection (UTI), with fever and chills 7 hours after taking nitrofurantoin. She was hospitalised and evaluated for worsening UTI and sepsis. Initially, it appeared to be secondary to post-UTI sepsis because of possible resistant infection or conditions like pulmonary embolism or acute hepatitis. The patient also developed systemic inflammatory response syndrome, left bundle branch block (LBBB), thrombocytopaenia and transaminitis. Considering the side effects of nitrofurantoin, it was stopped. The patient showed improvement and recovered completely with symptomatic and supportive treatment. During follow-up visits with her primary care physician, thrombocytopaenia, transaminitisandLBBB were found to have been resolved.

Keywords: Drugs and medicines; Infections; Infectious diseases; Urinary and genital tract disorders; Urinary tract infections.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Anti-Infective Agents, Urinary / adverse effects*
  • Anti-Infective Agents, Urinary / therapeutic use
  • Bundle-Branch Block / chemically induced*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Nitrofurantoin / adverse effects*
  • Nitrofurantoin / therapeutic use
  • Systemic Inflammatory Response Syndrome / chemically induced*
  • Urinary Tract Infections / drug therapy

Substances

  • Anti-Infective Agents, Urinary
  • Nitrofurantoin