• We describe a patient with a history of ulcerative colitis and long-standing occupational exposure to organic solvents. Over a follow-up period of almost four years he had progression of tubulointerstitial damage documented by two kidney biopsies. We propose that long-term exposure to organic solvents can lead to the development of chronic tubulointerstitial nephritis. We describe experimental evidence that supports our conclusion.

(Arch Intern Med 1989;149:154-158)