Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation and Acute Renal Failure in Influenza A2 Infection

Clinical and laboratory data are presented from six patients who developed acute renal failure shortly after contracting an infection with influenza A2/Hong Kong/68 virus. Thrombocytopenia, elevated serum levels of fibrinolytic split products, microangiopathic haemolysis and other hæmatological abnormalities were demonstrated in these patients. In two patients renal biopsy disclosed fibrin in the microvasculature of the kidney. These data show that acute renal failure and disseminated intravascular coagulation may be relatively common complications of severe Influenzal infection. It is suggested that disseminated intravascular coagulation is a consequence of viræmia and a factor in the genesis of acute renal failure in these patients.