Vitamin C-induced oxalate nephropathy in a renal transplant patient related to excessive ingestion of cashew pseudofruit (Anacardium occidentale L.): a case report

Abstract

BackgroundIngestion of vitamin C is generally regarded as harmless. Oxalate nephropathy is an infrequent condition and is characterized by oxalate deposition in the renal tubules, in some cases resulting in acute kidney injury. It can be caused by overproduction of oxalate in genetic disorders and, more frequently, as a secondary phenomenon provoked by ingestion of oxalate or substances that can be transformed into oxalate in the patient.Case presentationWe present a case of acute oxalate nephropathy in a 59-year-old black male with type 2 diabetes mellitus, who received a kidney transplant 11 years prior. He ingested a large amount of cashew pseudofruit (“cashew apple”) during 1 month and developed acute kidney injury. His previous blood creatinine was 2.0 mg/dL, which increased to 7.2 mg/d; he required hemodialysis. He was subsequently discharged without need for dialysis; 3 months later his blood creatinine stabilized at 3.6 mg/dL.ConclusionsThis pseudofruit is rich in ascorbic acid (vitamin C) and poor in oxalate. Urinary oxalate excretion begins to increase when amounts of ascorbic acid above bodily requirements are ingested, and may provoke acute oxalate nephropathy. The patient’s oxalate acute nephropathy, in this case, was attributed to excessive vitamin C ingestion from the cashew pseudofruit associated with decreased renal function.