Coronavirus Disease 2019 and the Kidney.

Abstract

Coronaviruses are ubiquitous pathogens and have caused epidemics in the recent past. Coupled with globalization, they have the potential to transform into the pandemic, as is the case of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Primarily to start as a respiratory illness, they are known to cause systemic disease and affect many organ systems. Due to the lack of, universally proven, specific anti-viral therapy, the mainstay of treatment is "supportive care" and some of the patients afflicted with it, require intensive care and organ support for lungs and/or kidneys. Patients with the diseases of the kidney, particularly those on dialysis and kidney transplant recipients, are predisposed to the worst outcomes with COVID-19. It also leads to acute kidney injury, which is an important and independent determinant of prognosis in these patients. It also creates a huge demand for the delivery of renal replacement therapy. COVID-19 is an emerging and evolving disease, and so, it is important to understand the mechanism and management of kidney diseases in COVID-19.