Acute kidney injury following household pyrethroid aerosol insecticide exposure: a case report and literature review - Report - MDSpire

Acute kidney injury following household pyrethroid aerosol insecticide exposure: a case report and literature review

  • By

  • Yuxin Tang

  • Yuqing Wu

  • Xuhang Xue

  • Sihan Tao

  • Xing Tao

  • Li Li

  • Lianyi Geng

  • Kun Gao

  • Xufang Wang

  • May 28, 2026

  • 0 min

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Clinical Report: Acute renal impairment linked to household pyrethroid exposure

Overview

This report presents a case of acute kidney injury (AKI) in a 55-year-old male associated with exposure to household pyrethroid aerosol insecticides. The findings highlight the potential nephrotoxic effects of pyrethroids, emphasizing the need for awareness among clinicians regarding environmental toxicants in AKI cases.

Background

Pyrethroids are widely used synthetic insecticides that are generally considered safe; however, their increasing presence in domestic environments raises concerns about potential health risks. Limited evidence exists linking pyrethroid exposure to renal injury, making this case significant in understanding the implications of non-occupational exposure. The case underscores the necessity for clinicians to consider environmental factors when diagnosing unexplained AKI.

Data Highlights

No numerical data or trial data presented in the article.

Key Findings

  • A 55-year-old male developed AKI after exposure to a pyrethroid aerosol insecticide in a poorly ventilated room.
  • Kidney biopsy confirmed acute tubular necrosis (ATN) and acute interstitial nephritis (AIN).
  • The patient's renal function partially improved with corticosteroid therapy but stabilized at stage 3 chronic kidney disease (CKD).
  • Environmental exposure to pyrethroids may lead to significant nephrotoxicity, which is rarely documented in humans.
  • Clinicians should include pyrethroid exposure in the differential diagnosis of unexplained AKI.

Clinical Implications

Healthcare professionals should be vigilant about the potential nephrotoxic effects of household pyrethroid insecticides, particularly in cases of unexplained AKI. A thorough exposure history is crucial, and kidney biopsy may be warranted when AIN is suspected to guide treatment decisions.

Conclusion

This case highlights the need for increased awareness of environmental toxicants like pyrethroids in clinical practice, particularly regarding their potential to cause renal injury. Further research is necessary to elucidate the mechanisms and prevalence of nephrotoxicity associated with pyrethroid exposure.

Related Resources & Content

  1. Garud et al., Archives of Toxicology, 2024 -- A Multi-Layered Risk Evaluation Model Incorporating Toxicokinetics and NAM-Driven Toxicodynamics: A Case Study Demonstrating Feasibility with Pyrethroids
  2. Ebmeyer et al., Archives of Toxicology, 2020 -- Toxic Effects of Pyrrolizidine Alkaloids on Liver Function in Rats and Implications for Human Exposure
  3. Archives of Toxicology, 2024 -- Impact of Long-term Insecticide Exposure on Neuronal Network Formation in Rat Cortical Cultures In Vitro
  4. KDIGO, 2026 -- Acute Kidney Injury (AKI) and Acute Kidney Disease (AKD)
  5. StatPearls, Pyrethrin and Pyrethroid Toxicity
  6. Archives of Toxicology — Assessment of Developmental Toxicity of Chlorpyrifos Using Innovative Methodologies: A Comprehensive Review
  7. KDIGO Guidelines on Acute Kidney Injury
  8. Pyrethrin and Pyrethroid Toxicity - NCBI Bookshelf
  9. A systematic review of human biomonitoring studies of 3-phenoxybenzoic acid, a urinary biomarker pyrethroid insecticide exposure, 1997 to 2019 - PMC

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