Understanding Chronic Kidney Diseases of Uncertain Etiology in Agricultural Communities

September 2019 Council

Lead Division/Office

KUH

Point(s) of Contact

Susan Mendley, M.D.; Kevin C. Abbott, M.D., M.P.H.

Executive Summary

Chronic Kidney Diseases of Uncertain Etiology (CKDu) are recognized to cause end stage kidney failure in rural areas of many low and middle income countries, resulting in a large death toll among the working age population. Environmental factors are suspected, but there is a lack of compelling evidence for any agent, while family and geographic clustering raise the possibility of an unrecognized genetic susceptibility. Finding a cause and treatment for CKDu would save many lives and offer insights into mechanisms of progressive kidney disease.