Risk factors of acute kidney injury induced by multiple wasp stings

Abstract

In Asia, acute kidney injury (AKI) induced by wasp stings is common; however, the pathophysiological mechanisms involved remain unclear. To evaluate the mechanisms associated with AKI induced by wasp stings, we conducted a retrospective cohort study that assessed blood and urinary samples from 112 patients with hospital admissions resulting from wasp stings. These samples were divided into those with AKI and without AKI as described in the Kidney Disease Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO) database. Of the patients, 48.2% presented with an elevated number of leukocytes (median 19.9 vs. 15.8 × 10⁹/L), serum creatinine (median 122.0 vs. 66.0 μmol/L), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) (median 176 vs. 32 U/L), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) (median 402 vs. 37 U/L), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) (median 3076.0 vs. 300.0 U/L), creatine kinase (CK) (median 9990.0 vs. 261.0 U/L), creatine kinase myocardial band (CK-mb) (median 200.0 vs. 29.5 U/L), activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) (median 70.0 vs. 42.5s), prothrombin time (PT) (median 15.0 vs. 12.5s), myoglobin (median 2200.0 vs. 78.0 ng/mL), proteinuria (51.9% vs. 17.2% ≥ 1+), and urinary monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1) (median 432.0 vs. 177.0 pg/mL), and subsequently developed AKI. As determined by multivariate logistic regression analysis, elevated leukocytes (>10 × 10⁹/L) [OR 1.12 (95% CI 1.02-1.23)], high myoglobin (>1200 ng/mL) [OR 18.51 (95% CI 1.51-132.27)], and high urinary MCP-1 (>200 pg/mL) [OR 5.42 (95% CI 1.27-30.39)] on admission were independent risk factors for AKI. At admission, baseline values for ALT, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), LDH, CK-mb, APTT, PT, and proteinuria were higher for those who later died as well as for those who developed end-stage renal disease (ESRD). No patients without AKI died or developed ESRD. The present study explored the pathophysiology of AKI induced by wasp stings based on the findings of risk factors as well as factors related to outcomes. An understanding of AKI induced by wasp stings allows better treatment options and clinical management for wasp stings patients.

Keywords: Acute kidney injury; Biomarkers; Hemolysis; Monocyte chemotactic protein-1; Rhabdomyolysis; Wasp stings.