Unique aspects of acute kidney injury associated with infections in the tropics: presentation, challenges, and opportunities
Issued Date
2026-01-01
Resource Type
ISSN
00852538
eISSN
15231755
Scopus ID
2-s2.0-105037529498
Pubmed ID
41866122
Journal Title
Kidney International
Rights Holder(s)
SCOPUS
Bibliographic Citation
Kidney International (2026)
Suggested Citation
Shankar M., Karam S., Bahous S.A., Davidson B., Kumar V., Sharma S., Vareesangthip K., Rosner M.H., Wijewickrama E. Unique aspects of acute kidney injury associated with infections in the tropics: presentation, challenges, and opportunities. Kidney International (2026). doi:10.1016/j.kint.2026.02.025 Retrieved from: https://repository.li.mahidol.ac.th/handle/123456789/116590
Title
Unique aspects of acute kidney injury associated with infections in the tropics: presentation, challenges, and opportunities
Author's Affiliation
University of Minnesota Twin Cities
University of Virginia
University of Cape Town
Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh
American University of Beirut
Siriraj Hospital
University of Colombo
Groote Schuur Hospital
VMMC & Safdarjang Hospital
Gilbert and Rose-Marie Chagoury School of Medicine
Institute of Nephro-Urology
University of Virginia
University of Cape Town
Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh
American University of Beirut
Siriraj Hospital
University of Colombo
Groote Schuur Hospital
VMMC & Safdarjang Hospital
Gilbert and Rose-Marie Chagoury School of Medicine
Institute of Nephro-Urology
Corresponding Author(s)
Other Contributor(s)
Abstract
“The tropics” currently account for around 40% of the world's population and face unique environmental challenges, with limited resources, a deficient health system, and a rudimentary sanitary infrastructure, in addition to a lack of adequate preventive measures and poor surveillance programs. Cases of acute kidney injury in the tropics are to a very large extent driven by infections such as leptospirosis, scrub typhus, dengue, malaria, Ebola virus, yellow fever, and HIV, with a pathogenesis driven by volume depletion, hypotension, and immune-mediated mechanisms. Many of these infections also lead to multiorgan failure and significant morbidity and mortality. Delayed diagnosis and limited access to kidney replacement therapy can further worsen the prognosis. Investment in preventive measures such as vector control, clean water access, robust vaccination programs, and health system strengthening is vital to reduce the incidence and severity of infection-associated acute kidney injury in the tropics.