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Phan J, Eslick GD, Elliott EJ. Demystifying the global outbreak of severe acute hepatitis of unknown aetiology in children: A systematic review and meta-analysis. J Infect 2024; 88:2-14. [PMID: 38007049 DOI: 10.1016/j.jinf.2023.11.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2023] [Accepted: 11/17/2023] [Indexed: 11/27/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The sudden outbreak of severe acute hepatitis of unknown aetiology (SAHUA) in the first half of 2022 affected more than 1010 children in 35 countries worldwide. Dire clinical outcomes, such as acute liver failure necessitating transplantation, neurological symptoms, long-term sequelae, and death, highlight the need to determine the pathogenesis of this condition. Hypotheses on the aetiology include adenovirus and SARS-CoV-2 infections and an aberrant immune response to multiple pathogen exposure following lifting of lockdown measures but further investigation is required to reach an informed consensus. METHODS A literature search was performed on MEDLINE and EMBASE in accordance with PRISMA guidelines for systematic reviews. Primary studies reporting data on severe acute hepatitis of unknown aetiology in children from the COVID-19 era were selected for inclusion in our review. Data on patient demographics, clinical presentation and outcomes, and diagnostic testing for coinfection were extracted. Meta-analysis used a random-effects model. RESULTS The 33 included studies (30 case series and 3 case-control studies) described a total of 3636 cases of SAHUA (reported 1 January, 2019-31 December, 2022), with a median age of 3.5 years. Of these, 214 children (5.9%) received a liver transplant and 66 (1.8%) died. Whilst data on diagnostic testing was incomplete, the most frequently detected coinfections were with adenovirus and/or adeno-associated virus 2 (AAV2). Other common childhood respiratory and enteric pathogens, such as enterovirus, rhinovirus, and herpesviruses (EBV and HHV-6), were also identified. CONCLUSION Coinfection with AAV2 and other common childhood pathogens may predispose children to develop this novel severe hepatitis. Altered susceptibility and response to such pathogens may be a consequence of immunological naivety following pandemic restrictions. Further investigations are needed to generate high-quality evidence on aetiology for different patient demographics and geographical areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julie Phan
- The Australian Paediatric Surveillance Unit [APSU], The Kids Research Institute, The Children's Hospital, Westmead, Westmead, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Guy D Eslick
- The Australian Paediatric Surveillance Unit [APSU], The Kids Research Institute, The Children's Hospital, Westmead, Westmead, New South Wales, Australia.
| | - Elizabeth J Elliott
- The Australian Paediatric Surveillance Unit [APSU], The Kids Research Institute, The Children's Hospital, Westmead, Westmead, New South Wales, Australia
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Li M, Jiang L, Liu S, Xu P, Wei H, Li Y, Guo C, Zhu L, Zhao B, Liu Y, Zhang M, Zhao J. Clinicopathological characteristics of 3 probable pediatric cases with acute severe hepatitis of unknown aetiology. New Microbes New Infect 2024; 56:101203. [PMID: 38146348 PMCID: PMC10749268 DOI: 10.1016/j.nmni.2023.101203] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2023] [Revised: 11/13/2023] [Accepted: 11/22/2023] [Indexed: 12/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Acute severe hepatitis with unknown aetiology in children (ASHep-UA) has become a global health alert. This article reported clinicopathological characteristics of 3 probable ASHep-UA cases. Methods We respectively collected serological data and liver biopsies of 3 suspected cases of ASHep-UA. Neutralizing antibodies titer for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) Omicron variants were determined by virus neutralization test (VNT). Histological assessment, immunohistochemistry (IHC) and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) for cytomegalovirus (CMV), Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), human adenoviruses (HAdV), adeno-associated virus (AAV2), human herpes virus type 6 (HHV-6) were performed to identify possible aetiologies. Results Remarkable elevation of transaminase (median ALT level, 1100 IU/liter; median AST level, 500 IU/liter) were revealed with undetectable hepatitis A-E and non-hepatotropic virus in both sera and tissues. Weakness, jaundice, pale stools and splenomegaly were observed. Interestingly, two individuals had SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variants infection. Histologically, moderate or severe lobular necroinflammation, active interface hepatitis and portal inflammatory infiltrate with lymphocytic, plasma cells, neutrophils and eosinophilic cells were noted. Conclusions The exact aetiology of ASHep-UA was still unknown. By reporting the 3 probable cases, we expect to enrich the clinical experience in diagnosis and treatment of ASHep-UA as well as the pathological characteristics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meiling Li
- The Fifth Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Lina Jiang
- The Fifth Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Shuhong Liu
- The Fifth Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Pengfei Xu
- The Fifth Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Haiyan Wei
- The Fifth Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Yu Li
- The Fifth Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Chaonan Guo
- The Fifth Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Li Zhu
- The Fifth Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Bokang Zhao
- Department of Hepatology, Center of Infectious Diseases and PathogenBiology, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Yisi Liu
- First Department of Liver Disease Center, Beijing Youan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Min Zhang
- The Fifth Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Jingmin Zhao
- The Fifth Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
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3
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Badurdeen Z, Ratnatunga N, Abeysekera T, Wazil AWM, Rajakrishna PN, Thinnarachchi JP, Welagedera DD, Ratnayake N, Alwis APD, Abeysundara H, Kumarasiri R, Taylor R, Nanayakkara N. Randomized control trial of prednisolone and doxycycline in patients with acute interstitial nephritis of unknown aetiology. Trials 2023; 24:11. [PMID: 36600250 DOI: 10.1186/s13063-022-07056-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2021] [Accepted: 12/27/2022] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Patients presenting with acute interstitial nephritis (AIN) of unknown aetiology, probably the earliest presentation of chronic kidney disease of unknown aetiology (CKDu), have been treated with oral prednisolone and doxycycline by physicians in Sri Lanka. This trial assessed the effectiveness of prednisolone and doxycycline based on eGFR changes at 6 months in patients with AIN of unknown aetiology. METHOD A randomized clinical trial with a 2 × 2 factorial design for patients presenting with AIN of unknown aetiology (n = 59) was enacted to compare treatments with; A-prednisolone, B-doxycycline, C-both treatments together, and D-neither. The primary outcome was a recovery of patients' presenting renal function to eGFR categories: 61-90 ml/min/1.73m2 (complete remission- CR) to 31-60 ml/min/1.73m2 (partial remission- PR) and 0-30 ml/min/1.73m2 no remission (NR) by 6 months. A secondary outcome was progression-free survival (not reaching < 30 ml/min/1.73m2 eGFR), by 6-36 months. Analysis was by intention to treat. RESULTS Seventy patients compatible with a clinical diagnosis of AIN were biopsied for eligibility; 59 AIN of unknown aetiology were enrolled, A = 15, B = 15, C = 14 and D = 15 randomly allocated to each group. Baseline characteristics were similar between groups. The number of patients with CR, PR and NR, respectively, by 6 months, in group A 3:8:2, group B 2:8:3 and group C 8:5:0 was compared with group D 8:6:1. There were no significant differences found between groups A vs. D (p = 0.2), B vs. D (p = 0.1) and C vs. D (p = 0.4). In an exploratory analysis, progression-free survival in prednisolone-treated (A + C) arms was 0/29 (100%) in comparison to 25/30 (83%) in those not so treated (B + D) arms, and the log-rank test was p = 0.02, whereas no such difference found (p = 0.60) between doxycycline-treated (B + C) arms 27/29 (93%) vs those not so treated (A + D) arms 27/30 (90%). CONCLUSION Prednisolone and doxycycline were not beneficial for the earliest presentation of CKDu at 6 months. However, there is a potential benefit of prednisolone on the long-term outcome of CKDu. An adequately powered steroid trial using patients reaching < 30 ml/min/1.73m2 eGFR by 3 years, as an outcome is warranted for AIN of unknown aetiology. TRIAL REGISTRATION Sri Lanka Clinical Trial Registry SLCTR/2014/007, Registered on the 31st of March 2014.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zeid Badurdeen
- Centre for Education Research and Training On Kidney Diseases (CERTKiD), Faculty of Medicine, University of Peradeniya, Kandy, Sri Lanka.
| | - Neelakanthi Ratnatunga
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Peradeniya, Kandy, Sri Lanka
| | - Tilak Abeysekera
- Renal Transplant and Dialysis Unit, Teaching Hospital, Kandy, Sri Lanka
| | - Abdul W M Wazil
- Renal Transplant and Dialysis Unit, Teaching Hospital, Kandy, Sri Lanka
| | | | | | | | - Nadeeka Ratnayake
- Renal Transplant and Dialysis Unit, Teaching Hospital, Kandy, Sri Lanka
| | | | - Hemalika Abeysundara
- Department of Statistics and Computer Science, Faculty of Science, University of Peradeniya, Kandy, Sri Lanka
| | - Ranjith Kumarasiri
- Department of Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Peradeniya, Kandy, Sri Lanka
| | - Richard Taylor
- School of Public Health and Community Medicine (SPHCM), Faculty of Medicine, University of New South Wales (UNSW), Kensington, Australia
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Yamada H, Deguchi M, Saito S, Takeshita T, Mitsui M, Saito T, Nagamatsu T, Takakuwa K, Nakatsuka M, Yoneda S, Egashira K, Tachibana M, Matsubara K, Honda R, Fukui A, Tanaka K, Sengoku K, Endo T, Yata H. Intravenous immunoglobulin treatment in women with four or more recurrent pregnancy losses: A double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled trial. EClinicalMedicine 2022; 50:101527. [PMID: 35795714 PMCID: PMC9251568 DOI: 10.1016/j.eclinm.2022.101527] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2022] [Revised: 05/24/2022] [Accepted: 06/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND There is no effective treatment for women with unexplained recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL). We aimed to investigate whether treatment with a high dose of intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) in early pregnancy can improve pregnancy outcomes in women with unexplained RPL. METHODS In a double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled trial, women with primary RPL of unexplained aetiology received 400 mg/kg of IVIG daily or placebo for five consecutive days starting at 4-6 weeks of gestation. They had experienced four or more miscarriages except biochemical pregnancy loss and at least one miscarriage of normal chromosome karyotype. The primary outcome was ongoing pregnancy rate at 22 weeks of gestation, and the live birth rate was the secondary outcome. We analysed all women receiving the study drug (intention-to-treat, ITT) and women except those who miscarried due to fetal chromosome abnormality (modified-ITT). This study is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT02184741. FINDINGS From June 3, 2014 to Jan 29, 2020, 102 women were randomly assigned to receive IVIG (n = 53) or placebo (n = 49). Three women were excluded; therefore 50 women received IVIG and 49 women received placebo in the ITT population. The ongoing pregnancy rate at 22 weeks of gestation (31/50 [62·0%] vs. 17/49 [34·7%]; odds ratio [OR] 3·07, 95% CI 1·35-6·97; p = 0·009) and the live birth rate (29/50 [58·0%] vs. 17/49 [34·7%]; OR 2·60, 95% CI 1·15-5·86; p = 0·03) in the IVIG group were higher than those in the placebo group in the ITT population. The ongoing pregnancy rate at 22 weeks of gestation (OR 6·27, 95% CI 2·21-17·78; p < 0·001) and the live birth rate (OR 4·85, 95% CI 1·74-13·49; p = 0·003) significantly increased in women who received IVIG at 4-5 weeks of gestation as compared with placebo, but these increases were not evident in women who received IVIG at 6 weeks of gestation. Four newborns in the IVIG group and none in the placebo group had congenital anomalies (p = 0·28). INTERPRETATION A high dose of IVIG in very early pregnancy improved pregnancy outcome in women with four or more RPLs of unexplained aetiology. FUNDING The Japan Blood Products Organization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hideto Yamada
- Centre for Recurrent Pregnancy Loss, Teine Keijinkai Hospital, 1-40 Maeda 1-jho 12-chome Teine-ku, Sapporo, Japan
- Corresponding author at: Director of Centre for Recurrent Pregnancy Loss, Teine Keijinkai Hospital, 1-40 Maeda 1-jho 12-chome Teine-ku, Sapporo 006-8555, Japan.
| | - Masashi Deguchi
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Kobe University School of Medicine, 7-5-1 Kusunoki-cho Chuo-ku, Kobe, Japan
| | - Shigeru Saito
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, the Toyama University, 2630, Sugitani, Toyama, Japan
| | - Toshiyuki Takeshita
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nippon Medical School, 1-1-5 Sendagi, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Mari Mitsui
- Division of Reproductive Medicine and Maternal Care, National Center for Child Health and Development, 2-10-1 Okura, Setagaya-ku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Tsuyoshi Saito
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Sapporo Medical University, Minami 1-jo Nishi 17-chome, Chuo-ku, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Takeshi Nagamatsu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Koichi Takakuwa
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Niigata University, 1-757 Asahimachi-dori, Chuo-ku, Niigata, Japan
| | - Mikiya Nakatsuka
- Okayama University, Graduate School of Health Sciences, 2-5-1 Shikata, Kita-ku, Okayama, Japan
| | - Satoshi Yoneda
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, the Toyama University, 2630, Sugitani, Toyama, Japan
| | - Katsuko Egashira
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Kyushu University Graduate School of Medicine, 3-1-1 Maidashi, Higashi-ku, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Masahito Tachibana
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, 1-1 Seiryo-machi, Aoba-ku, Sendai, Japan
| | - Keiichi Matsubara
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Ehime University School of Medicine, 454, Shitsukawa, Toon, Japan
| | - Ritsuo Honda
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Kumamoto University School of Medicine, 1-1-1 Honjo, Chuo-ku, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Atsushi Fukui
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Hirosaki University School of Medicine, 53,Honcho, Hirosaki, Japan
| | - Kanji Tanaka
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Hirosaki University School of Medicine, 53,Honcho, Hirosaki, Japan
| | - Kazuo Sengoku
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Asahikawa Medical University, 1-1-1 Midorigaoka-higashi 2-jo, Asahikawa, Japan
| | - Toshiaki Endo
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Sapporo Medical University, Minami 1-jo Nishi 17-chome, Chuo-ku, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Hiroaki Yata
- Research & Development Division, Japan Blood Products Organization, 15F Tamachi Station Tower N 3-1-1 Shibaura, Minato-ku, Tokyo, Japan
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Davies TC. The position of geochemical variables as causal co-factors of diseases of unknown aetiology. SN Appl Sci 2022; 4:236. [PMID: 35909942 PMCID: PMC9326422 DOI: 10.1007/s42452-022-05113-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2022] [Accepted: 07/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract The term diseases of unknown aetiology (DUA) or idiopathic diseases is used to describe diseases that are of uncertain or unknown cause or origin. Among plausible geoenvironmental co-factors in causation of DUA, this article focusses on the entry of trace elements, including metals and metalloids into humans, and their involvement in humoral and cellular immune responses, representing potentially toxic agents with implications as co-factors for certain DUA. Several trace elements/metals/metalloids (micronutrients) play vital roles as co-factors for essential enzymes and antioxidant molecules, thus, conferring protection against disease. However, inborn errors of trace element/metal/metalloid metabolisms can occur to produce toxicity, such as when there are basic defects in the element transport mechanism. Ultimately, it is the amount of trace element, metal or metalloid that is taken up, its mode of accumulation in human tissues, and related geomedical attributes such as the chemical form and bioavailability that decisively determine whether the exerted effects are toxic or beneficial. Several case descriptions of DUA that are common worldwide are given to illustrate our knowledge so far of how trace element/metal/metalloid interactions in the immune system may engender its dysregulation and be implicated as causal co-factors of DUA. Article highlights The importance of a proper understanding of geochemical perturbations in human metabolisms is emphasisedIt is proferred that such an understanding would aid greatly in the decipherment of diseases of unknown aetiology (DUA)The thesis presented may pave the way towards better diagnosis and therapy of DUA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Theophilus C. Davies
- Present Address: Faculty of Natural Sciences, Mangosuthu University of Technology, 511 Mangosuthu Highway, 4031, KwaZulu Natal, South Africa
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Dideriksen JR, Christiansen MK, Johansen JB, Nielsen JC, Bundgaard H, Jensen HK. Long-term outcomes in young patients with atrioventricular block of unknown aetiology. Eur Heart J 2021; 42:2060-2068. [PMID: 33599276 PMCID: PMC8169155 DOI: 10.1093/eurheartj/ehab060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2020] [Revised: 11/17/2020] [Accepted: 01/31/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Aims Atrioventricular block (AVB) of unknown aetiology is rare in the young, and outcome in these patients is unknown. We aimed to assess long-term morbidity and mortality in young patients with AVB of unknown aetiology. Methods and results We identified all Danish patients younger than 50 years receiving a first pacemaker due to AVB between January 1996 and December 2015. By reviewing medical records, we included patients with AVB of unknown aetiology. A matched control cohort was established. Follow-up was performed using national registries. The primary outcome was a composite endpoint consisting of death, heart failure hospitalization, ventricular tachyarrhythmia, and cardiac arrest with successful resuscitation. We included 517 patients, and 5170 controls. Median age at first pacemaker implantation was 41.3 years [interquartile range (IQR) 32.7–46.2 years]. After a median follow-up of 9.8 years (IQR 5.7–14.5 years), the primary endpoint had occurred in 14.9% of patients and 3.2% of controls [hazard ratio (HR) 3.8; 95% confidence interval (CI) 2.9–5.1; P < 0.001]. Patients with persistent AVB at time of diagnosis had a higher risk of the primary endpoint (HR 10.6; 95% CI 5.7–20.0; P < 0.001), and risk was highest early in the follow-up period (HR 6.8; 95% CI 4.6–10.0; P < 0.001, during 0–5 years of follow-up). Conclusion Atrioventricular block of unknown aetiology presenting before the age of 50 years and treated with pacemaker implantation was associated with a three- to four-fold higher rate of the composite endpoint of death or hospitalization for heart failure, ventricular tachyarrhythmia, or cardiac arrest with successful resuscitation. Patients with persistent AVB were at higher risk. These findings warrant improved follow-up strategies for young patients with AVB of unknown aetiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johnni Resdal Dideriksen
- Department of Cardiology, Aarhus University Hospital, Palle Juul-Jensens Boulevard 99, 8200 Aarhus N, Denmark.,Department of Clinical Medicine, Health, Aarhus University, Palle Juul-Jensens Boulevard 82, 8200 Aarhus N, Denmark
| | - Morten K Christiansen
- Department of Cardiology, Aarhus University Hospital, Palle Juul-Jensens Boulevard 99, 8200 Aarhus N, Denmark
| | - Jens B Johansen
- Department of Cardiology, Odense University Hospital, 5000 Odense C, Denmark
| | - Jens C Nielsen
- Department of Cardiology, Aarhus University Hospital, Palle Juul-Jensens Boulevard 99, 8200 Aarhus N, Denmark.,Department of Clinical Medicine, Health, Aarhus University, Palle Juul-Jensens Boulevard 82, 8200 Aarhus N, Denmark
| | - Henning Bundgaard
- Department of Cardiology B2142, Unit for Inherited Cardiovascular Diseases, The Heart Centre, National University Hospital, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Henrik K Jensen
- Department of Cardiology, Aarhus University Hospital, Palle Juul-Jensens Boulevard 99, 8200 Aarhus N, Denmark.,Department of Clinical Medicine, Health, Aarhus University, Palle Juul-Jensens Boulevard 82, 8200 Aarhus N, Denmark
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Kulathunga MRDL, Ayanka Wijayawardena MA, Naidu R, Wijeratne AW. Chronic kidney disease of unknown aetiology in Sri Lanka and the exposure to environmental chemicals: a review of literature. Environ Geochem Health 2019; 41:2329-2338. [PMID: 30815780 DOI: 10.1007/s10653-019-00264-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2018] [Accepted: 02/10/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Chronic kidney disease of unknown aetiology (CKDu) has emerged as a serious health issue in Sri Lanka. The disease has been recorded in the North Central Province of the country. While studies have elicited many hypotheses concerning the pathogenicity of CKDu, none adequately explains the cause of CKDu and the measures needed to minimise its occurrence. Nephrotoxic heavy metal (oid)s such as cadmium, arsenic, lead, and chromium are present in biological samples of people from endemic areas. This review appraises evidence on the effects of long-term exposure to low concentration of nephrotoxic heavy metals, which could be the principal cause of CKDu. Although a considerable variation exists in metal concentrations in patients' blood and urine, higher levels of heavy metals were consistently observed in affected areas. This review finds that the populations in the endemic areas are exposed to heavy metal (oid)s at low concentrations, which are considered as safe levels; nevertheless, it influences the incidence of CKDu. Recent global studies on chronic kidney disease (CKD) revealed a low concentration of heavy metals in diseased patients. Research findings indicated that CKDu patients in Sri Lanka demonstrated similar blood levels of Cd, Pb, and higher concentrations of Cr than that have been reported globally. Further studies on the influence of combinations of nephrotoxic heavy metals at low concentrations on reduced glomerular filtration rate and other renal biomarkers could explain CKDu pathogenicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- M R D L Kulathunga
- Global Centre for Environmental Remediation, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, 2308, Australia
- Fruit Research and Development Institute, Kananwila, Horana, Sri Lanka
| | - M A Ayanka Wijayawardena
- Global Centre for Environmental Remediation, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, 2308, Australia.
| | - Ravi Naidu
- Global Centre for Environmental Remediation, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, 2308, Australia
| | - A W Wijeratne
- Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, Sabaragamuwa University of Sri Lanka, Balangoda, Sri Lanka
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