Acute renal failure and severe thrombocytopenia induced by rifampicin: report of a case.

We report on a patient who developed life-threatening thrombocytopenia and acute renal failure after the reinstitution of rifampicin therapy for pulmonary tuberculosis. This combined reaction is rarely reported. Supportive treatment and withdrawal of rifampicin led to complete recovery. The increased incidence of drug-resistant tuberculosis and the need for the reintroduction of rifampicin therapy may lead to more such reactions being observed.