Rickettsiosis-associated hyponatremia

Infection. 1987;15(5):315-6. doi: 10.1007/BF01647728.

Abstract

Two patients with hyponatremia (130 mEq/l and 122 mEq/l, respectively), and rickettsial disease are described. The causes of hyponatremia were attributed to rickettsial vasculitis and increased capillary permeability in the first patient and to the syndrome of inappropriate anti-diuretic hormone (ADH) secretion in the second patient. The differentiation between the mechanisms was established by measurement of urinary sodium excretion which was low in the first patient (7 mEq/l) and high in the second patient (60 mEq/l), and levels of ADH that were inappropriately high in the second patient (7-9 pg/ml) in the presence of low plasma osmolality. The differentiation between these causes of hyponatremia has important therapeutic implications.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Capillary Permeability
  • Humans
  • Hyponatremia / etiology*
  • Inappropriate ADH Syndrome / complications
  • Male
  • Rickettsia Infections / complications*
  • Sodium / urine
  • Vasculitis / complications

Substances

  • Sodium