Related Experiment Video
Updated: Dec 12, 2025
05:34
5/6 Nephrectomy Using Sharp Bipolectomy Via Midline Laparotomy in Rats
Published on: April 4, 2025
1.3K
COVID-19 and the Kidneys: An Update
Claudia Benedetti1, Meryl Waldman2, Gianluigi Zaza3
1Department of Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United States.
Frontiers in Medicine
|August 15, 2020
Summary
The new coronavirus disease (COVID-19) primarily affects adults, causing mild symptoms in most but severe respiratory and kidney damage in some. Research is ongoing to find effective treatments for this global health emergency.
Area of Science:
- Infectious Diseases
- Nephrology
- Critical Care Medicine
Background:
- The novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) emerged as a global health crisis.
- While often mild, COVID-19 can cause severe alveolar damage, respiratory failure, and fatalities.
- Kidney damage, including acute kidney injury, has been observed in COVID-19 patients.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of COVID-19 on patients with pre-existing kidney conditions.
- To understand the pathogenesis of COVID-19, including viral injury, inflammation, and coagulation.
- To identify potential therapeutic agents for COVID-19.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on COVID-19 pathogenesis and clinical manifestations.
- Analysis of reported cases of kidney damage in COVID-19 patients.
- Exploration of preliminary research on potential COVID-19 treatments.
Main Results:
- COVID-19 predominantly affects individuals aged 30-79, with 81% experiencing mild illness.
- Severe cases involve alveolar damage, respiratory failure (6.4% mortality), and potential kidney injury.
- The effects on individuals with chronic kidney disease, transplant recipients, and hemodialysis patients remain unclear.
Conclusions:
- COVID-19 poses a significant threat, causing diverse organ damage beyond the respiratory system.
- Further research is crucial to elucidate COVID-19's impact on vulnerable kidney patient populations.
- Several potential therapeutic agents are under investigation for COVID-19 treatment.
Related Concept Videos
01:30Acute Kidney Injury IV: Diagnostic Studies and Prevention
184
Accurate diagnosis and effective prevention are critical in managing Acute Kidney Injury (AKI), which is linked to high mortality rates ranging from 10% to 80%. Timely recognition of at-risk patients and careful monitoring can significantly reduce the likelihood of kidney damage.Diagnostic Assessments:The diagnostic process starts with a comprehensive medical history to identify prerenal, intrarenal, and postrenal causes.Prerenal causes, such as dehydration, hypotension, or blood loss, should...
184
01:29Acute Kidney Injury III: Clinical Manifestations
589
Acute Kidney Injury (AKI) progresses through distinct clinical phases: the oliguric, diuretic, and recovery phases, each marked by unique manifestations and challenges.Oliguric Phase:The oliguric phase is the initial stage of AKI, typically lasting 10 to 14 days. This phase is marked by a significant reduction in urine output, usually less than 400 mL per day, indicating decreased kidney function. Fluid retention is a prominent feature, leading to symptoms such as edema, hypertension, and...
589
01:29Acute Kidney Injury II: Pathophysiology
664
Acute kidney injury (AKI) causes are categorized into three primary categories based on the location of the injury: prerenal, intrarenal (or intrinsic), and postrenal causes. This classification guides clinical management and illustrates how different pathways can impair kidney function.Etiology and Pathophysiology of Acute Kidney Injury1. Prerenal causesEtiology: Prerenal Acute Kidney Injury, the most common type, occurs when reduced blood flow to the kidneys decreases filtration capacity...
664
01:24Chronic Kidney Disease II: Clinical Manifestations
417
Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) progressively impairs multiple body systems due to the accumulation of uremic toxins, which disrupt cellular functions across various organs.Neurologic symptomsNeurologic symptoms often arise early in CKD, as uremic toxin buildup drives changes in cognitive and motor functions. Patients frequently experience fatigue, headache, confusion, difficulty concentrating, and, in severe cases, seizures. Peripheral neuropathy commonly manifests as burning sensations in the...
417
01:22Acute Kidney Injury I: Introduction
367
Introduction:Acute Kidney Injury (AKI) describes a swift decrease in kidney function occurring over hours to days, characterized by the kidneys' failure to remove waste products from the bloodstream. This leads to dangerous complications like metabolic acidosis, fluid overload, and electrolyte imbalances, such as hyperkalemia, which can cause life-threatening arrhythmias. AKI is common in both hospital and outpatient settings, often triggered by dehydration, sepsis, or exposure to nephrotoxic...
367
01:20Acute Kidney Injury V: Interprofessional Care
177
Acute Kidney Injury (AKI) requires a collaborative healthcare approach to restore renal function and prevent complications. Essential management strategies involve monitoring fluid and electrolyte balance, adjusting medications, initiating dialysis when necessary, and providing nutritional support.Fluid and Electrolyte ManagementFluid Monitoring: Regularly monitoring body weight, central venous pressure, and urine output helps detect fluid imbalances early. Patient intake and output are...
177